Putin Cites ‘Neo-Nazism’ Claim as Reason for Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that Ukraine’s government had made what he called neo-Nazism the foundation of state ideology, citing it as one reason for Russia’s military operation, according to TASS.

“We cannot and will not put up with this,” Putin told Vesti journalist Pavel Zarubin. “This is one of the reasons for the special military operation. It is the fight against neo-Nazism.”

The report did not cite evidence for the allegation.

In a separate TASS report published Saturday, Putin said Russia had intensified attacks on Ukrainian enterprises in response to Ukrainian strikes on civilian production sites and logistical routes inside Russia.

He described Moscow’s attacks as more painful and destructive than Ukraine’s. Putin said they were disrupting equipment and ammunition deliveries, troop rotations and work at Ukrainian defense enterprises.

Putin also alleged that Ukraine and its Western backers had sought to defeat Russia within 40 days through mass missile and drone attacks on civilian sites and logistical routes. He said the plan was intended to damage entire sectors of Russia’s economy and weaken public unity.

According to Putin, the attacks produced no battlefield turning point or advantage for Ukraine. He further claimed Russian forces were advancing in all directions at an accelerated pace.

On agriculture, Putin said logistical disruption from Russia’s strikes would not cause a global wheat shortage because Russia had export potential of at least 60 million metric tons. He attributed the estimate to Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut.

Putin also accused Ukraine of trying to intimidate Russians and disrupt State Duma elections scheduled for September. He called for stronger air defenses and closer coordination among security agencies, civilian authorities, state enterprises and private companies.

On possible negotiations, Putin said Kyiv had approached mediators to avoid what he described as potentially catastrophic consequences. He called recent Ukrainian proposals “exotic” and unacceptable.

Russia remained ready for dialogue based on “realities on the ground,” Putin said. He did not identify the proposals and said it was too early to speculate about the terms of a possible agreement.