Russia’s foreign minister has been criticised for claiming Adolf Hitler “had Jewish origins” and “some of the worst antisemites are Jews”.

Sergei Lavrov hit out at Ukraine’s president during an interview with Italian media, saying Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Jewish ancestry “doesn’t mean anything” while trying to justify Vladimir Putin’s call to “denazify” the nation.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, President Putin described it as a “special military operation” to remove leaders he claimed were neo-Nazis.

Israel has called Mr Lavrov’s remarks “unforgiveable” and summoned Russia’s ambassador for an explanation.

Ukraine latest – Russia claims to have shot down two bombers

Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Lavrov told Italian media: “So what if Zelenskyy is Jewish? The fact does not negate the Nazi elements in Ukraine.

“Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it doesn’t mean anything. Some of the worst antisemites are Jews.”

Ukraine war: ‘Ceasefire has happened’ as more than 100 civilians are evacuated from besieged Mariupol steelworks in ‘safe passage operation’

Ukraine war: Britain accuses ‘sick Russian troll factory’ of ‘plaguing social media with Kremlin propaganda’

Ukraine war: Europe’s entire future rests on Ukrainian victory, warns Moldovan minister

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid said the comments were “scandalous and a horrible historical error”.

He added: “The Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust. The lowest level of racism against Jews is to blame Jews themselves for antisemitism.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Israel has tried to hold a position of neutrality during the war and has been measured in its criticism of Russia, who it relies on for security coordination in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has also tried mediating between Russia and Ukraine.

In his bid to legitimise the war to Russian citizens, President Putin has portrayed the battle as a struggle against Nazis in Ukraine, even though the country has a democratically-elected government and a Jewish president whose relatives were killed in the Holocaust.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Just hours into the invasion, Mr Putin appealed directly to Ukrainian troops and said it was “easier to negotiate with you” than the “gang of Nazis that has captured Kyiv”.

Read more:
The desperate search for the thousands missing in Ukraine

In February, Mr Lavrov said “we will do everything possible to ensure that the Ukrainian government is independent”, adding: “At the moment it is under external control with the aim to support or encourage Nazi philosophy and it is under Western control.”

Related posts:

French actress stages naked protest on awards show to call for more support for arts British man arrested in Germany accused of spying for Russia Messi says he wants more trophies and is ‘excited’ by Paris Saint-Germain move Afghan civilians face ‘deadly and dangerous’ situation amid warning Kabul could fall in 90 days Two dead and nine injured after tornado flips cars on Italian island Animal shelter workers in Afghanistan evacuated – two weeks after charity’s dogs and cats flown to UK Female challengers launch bids to become France’s first women president At least three dead and five missing as buildings collapse in Sicily gas explosion Pandemic has fuelled ‘billionaire bonanza’ as richest see fortunes double, says Oxfam Far-right French presidential candidate convicted over migrant children comments Russia tests intercontinental ballistic missile capable of evading ‘any defence system’ Russian caviar and diamonds hit by fresh UK sanctions