Ukraine crisis - Putin claim is chilling

However superficial the comparisons between Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Putin may appear, the chilling similarities between their mutual strategies have become more ominous by the day.

Darkly reminiscent of the tactics employed by the Nazis in the 1930s to justify their annexation of Austria, the same cynical line is clearly to be heard in the Russian president’s brazen attempt to justify his seizure of Crimea. Mr Putin has finally admitted that Russian troops were on the ground during the takeover of Crimea. Further underpinning the comparisons with Hitler’s strategy, the ex-KGB man argues that the troops were dispatched to protect ethnic Russians.

A man who sees himself as a figure of global stature, Mr Putin will not take kindly to the comparison with Hitler. Unless he changes tack, however, that looks set to be his political epithet. In a declaration of breathtaking audacity, the president informed Russian TV viewers he hoped he will not have to use his “right” to send Russian military forces into Ukraine.