Russian President Vladimir Putin said one of the reasons for launching the special military operation was the fight against neo-Nazism, Russophobia and attempts to remove Russian culture and history from Ukraine.

In an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin, Putin argued that the Ukrainian authorities had made neo-Nazism part of the state ideology and said Moscow was not prepared to accept what he described as efforts to eradicate everything Russian.

Putin also said concerns over neo-Nazism in Ukraine are being raised outside Russia, including in countries that are traditionally far from sympathetic toward Moscow. He pointed to Poland as an example.

According to the Russian president, Polish authorities have taken a firm position on issues linked to the historical and ideological foundations of modern Ukrainian statehood. He said Warsaw’s stance reflects a clear demand within Polish society.

Putin had earlier said Kiev was sending what he described as unacceptable settlement proposals through intermediaries. In his view, the Ukrainian authorities are trying to prevent the situation from deteriorating further after, as he claims, creating the conditions that led to the current crisis.