He's using the Eastward expansion of NATO as a reason along with the verified presence of neo-nazis. One can argue about how many and how influential they are but, the Azov battalion is clearly there.
And yes, Russia has been invaded several times by various European Nations over the years.
I seriously doubt that Putin seriously wanted to take Kyiv due to the impact that the siege of Stalingrad had on him. It was a distraction from his real objectives in the East. Originally Posted by JohnnyGleet
Putin was at Stalingrad?! Originally Posted by texassapper
No. and it was Leningrad. Putin's parents were in Leningrad during the siege. Putin wasn't born until 1952.
https://www.rbth.com/politics/2015/0...cle_45805.html
Vladimir Putin reveals family’s WWII ordeals in magazine article