Ukraine's official Twitter account has tweeted a caricature depicting Nazi leader Adolf Hitler seemingly giving his approval to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a post that has sparked massive reaction on micro-blogging site Twitter, Ukraine's official handle tweeted a caricature of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler appearing pleased and giving his approval to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The tweet came even as Moscow began special military operations aimed at demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine.
Also read: Russia's invasion of Ukraine: World leaders condemn Putin's aggression
This is, however, not the first time comparisons have been drawn between Hitler and Putin, as the run-up to the Russian invasion saw several Ukrainian protesters draw parallels to the Nazi leader's actions before the Second World War.
The Russian President on Thursday morning called on the Ukraine military to 'lay down its arms' in a televised address. Putin said that his country was left no chance to protect itself by other means. "I have decided to conduct a special military operation," he announced.
He also vowed retaliation against those who interfered with the Russian Ukraine operation. "To anyone who would consider interfering from outside. If you intervene, you will face consequences they have never seen. The relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you are hearing me," he said.
On Wednesday, White House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also compared the Russian President's 'very evil' aggression and recognition of separatist regions to Hitler's annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938.
"This is a very evil move on the part of Vladimir Putin. He's a KGB guy who happens to be probably the richest man in the world because of his exploitation of his own people that he doesn't want them to know about," she said.
"Putin uses excuses like — it's changed — every time you hear him say, 'Well, they're part of us. That's who we are. They should be us.' Now they're saying, 'But we have to go in because they want to be part of NATO.' My friends, this is our moment. This is the Sudetenland. That's what people were saying there," Pelosi added.
"You cannot ignore what Putin is doing. And nobody is, of course, ignoring it — but you cannot take it any lighter than what it is: a total assault on democracy," the White House Speaker concluded.
Also read: Dramatic videos surface of Russian bombardment in Ukraine
Hitler annexed the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia in 1938 as a result of the Munich Agreement with France and the UK just months after taking over Austria. British Minister Neville Chamberlain infamously claimed the deal would bring "peace for our time."
Putin on Monday had recognised the Russian-speaking regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent states.
The tweet posted by Ukraine's official handle also sparked massive outrage on the social media platform, with several stating Putin has joined Hitler as an evil, amoral individual.
We are almost at war
And u posted a meme?
Well
I respect that https://t.co/u9sR5oNZIL
Russia's Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is much like Adolf Hitler's invasion of Russia in World War II. It will be like Nazis getting stuck in St Peterburg and then downhill, and thus signal a further collapse of Russia post 1991. Siberia will be gobbled up by China. India?
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39)The horror of war has commenced in Ukraine.Putin has joined Hitler as an evil, amoral individual who the World needs to cripple with ultimate sanctions and condemnations. UKRAINE STAY RESOLUTE!!YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen)Kids aren’t gonna believe their history books from these social media times.
Imagine reading about Russia invading Ukraine and they drop Twitter meme relating Putin to Hitler
Watching the western propaganda calling Putin A “hitler” is so funny at this point.
We’re one day into the UKRAINE operation.
yemen has been invaded and bombed relentlessly for years by your beloved number one ally…
Double standards are synonymous to US policy…zero credibility
is the Hitler of 21st Century. pic.twitter.com/gH0tfyekfV
— Jakir Hossain (@JakirHo34562459)If you think Putin will be satisfied with taking Ukraine, you are DELUSIONAL!
He is just as grasping and megalomaniacal as HITLER.
He will not stop, until he is STOPPED.
He cannot be shamed or reasoned with
We either contain him or surrender to him
Those are the choices.
PUTIN 21st Century Hitler = pic.twitter.com/RIAtzwv8Qn
— കിച്ചു | KICHU (@kichu_Oficial)Putin is duplicating Hitler's attack on Poland.
He is repeating the fascist aggression that we thought had been ended in 1945.
He has not just declared war on Ukraine. He has declared war on democracy, and indeed on humanity.
Democracy must now defend itself at home & abroad
History repeats itself. Putin’s justification for invading Ukraine is eerily similar to Hitler’s pretexts for seizing Czechoslovakia and Poland.
— Mike Carlton (@MikeCarlton01)Praying tonight for Ukraine. In 1939 Hitler went into Poland to "protect" the Polish people. They didn't ask for Hitler's help because there was no threat against them, and therefor no need for protection. Putin is doing the same in Ukraine. This is how world wars start.
— Deacon Blues (@DeaconBlues0)Putin = Hitler pic.twitter.com/KBUXI1aAnt
— Ahmet Mut (@mutahmett)Remember this face talking about love for their land and threatening the whole world simultaneously. Hitler did absolutely the same. pic.twitter.com/Xsc4L7UlaX
— SeaCat 🌊🐱 (@SeaCatWiz)Hitler isn't dead he is alive and living in the body of Vladimir Putin.
— Frederick Moses (@FredsabieMoses)Germany trying to revive Hitler for :
Putin Ukraine Russia pic.twitter.com/3K2uHolGNJ
Hitler started small with Austria, then The Czech Republic and then on to Poland. Then set his sights on France and Italy. Later obsessed with taking down the UK, Russia and the US. Let history be our guide and stop Putin before it’s too late!
— JB Thinkin…. (@JBThinkin)BREAKING: "Putin is the new Hitler," declares nation that inspired Hitler
— Maitreya Bhakal (@MaitreyaBhakal)