Putin 'will not stop with Ukraine' and could follow in 'footsteps of Hitler'

The West has been warned Vladimir Putin “will not stop” in his war on democracy amid the Ukraine crisis, while history suggests he could be eyeing his neighbors’ bountiful agricultural industry as Adolf Hitler did

Vladimir Putin “will not stop” in his war on democracy if he invades Ukraine, the West has been warned – with the Russian leader set to follow in the footsteps of Adolf Hitler.

The Ukrainian ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, said the democratic world must stand up to the ex-KGB strongman, claiming “nobody is safe”.

It comes as Britain is poised to double the number of troops deployed in a “clear message to the Kremlin” as the crisis escalates.

Putin has amassed more than 100,000 troops on the border with his eastern European neighbors and continues to shift further resources to the frontline.

It is unclear if he intends for bloodshed or whether he hopes to use the threat of war to stave off unfavorable sanctions and bully Nato into refusing to accept Ukraine as a member.

But if Russian troops were to successfully take the fellow former Soviet nation, the country’s long history of economic exploitation seems increasingly likely to repeat itself.

In the 13th century, the grandchildren of Genghis Khan expanded the Mongol Empire into modern-day Ukraine, destroying the capital Kiev.

And more recently, Hitler looked to bolster Germany’s food supplies during the Nazi occupation in World War Two by exploiting its huge agriculture industry, reports WA Today.

Ms Markarova told US network CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday: “So it’s an attack on democracy, and I believe nobody is safe if Ukraine will be attacked.

“We do not want to be part of the Soviet Union or the Russian Empire or the Russian Federation.

“We want to be sovereign, we are sovereign and we are fighting for our independence.

“And if Ukraine will be further attacked by Russia, of course they will not stop after Ukraine.

“That’s why it’s in the interest of Europe and all the democratic world to help us to defend ourselves but also to show that the international rule of law still works.”

However, she said her nation can’t afford to “panic” and is “preparing for any options”.

“But let’s be very clear here, we know who [the] aggressor is and everyone knows who [the] aggressor is It’s Russia,” she added.

Today, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said new legislation broadening sanctions against Russia will be published this week in a bid to discourage aggression.

Fast jets, warships and military specialists could also be sent to protect Nato allies, with around 1,000 troops dispatched to bolster defenses as Ukrainian forces prepare for war.

This morning, Ms Truss said officials were looking at ways to target oligarchs with links to Putin.

She told Sky News: “What the legislation enables us to do is hit a much wider variety of targets. So there can be nobody who thinks that they will be immune to those sanctions.

“Any company of interest to the Kremlin and the regime in Russia would be able to be targeted so there will be nowhere to hide for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s oligarchs, for Russian companies involved in propping up the Russian state.”

Boris Johnson has warned that an incursion from Russia into Ukraine would be a “tragedy”.

The PM, who is fighting for his future in Downing Street, said the new offer to Nato currently under consideration would “send a clear message to the Kremlin” that “we will not tolerate their destabilizing activity”.

In addition to bolstering troop numbers, No 10 said this could involve sending defensive weapons to Estonia.

Downing Street said the possible deployment would “reinforce Nato’s defenses and underpin the UK’s support for Nordic and Baltic partners”.

The move comes as the Prime Minister is expected to speak to Mr Putin and travel to the troubled region early this week.

A second trip to meet NATO member counterparts is being planned for early next month, No 10 said.

The details of the offer will be finalized by UK officials and Nato in Brussels next week, while ministers will discuss the military options on Monday.

Mr Johnson has also directed Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to prepare to go to Moscow for talks with their counterparts in the coming days.

They will be asked to improve relationships with the Russian government and encourage de-escalation, Downing Street said.

In addition, Mr Wallace is expected to travel to meet with allies this week in Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia on Mr Johnson’s behalf.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson has asked the Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, to attend Cabinet on Tuesday to brief ministers on the situation in Ukraine.

read more

read more