Russia Is Mirroring Fascism Of The Nazis, Wallace Warns

Defence secretary is due to make a speech today as Moscow stages a parade to mark the victory over Nazi Germany

- David Hughes

Vladimir Putin's regime is “mirroring” the actions of the Nazis, Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, will say later today as the Russian leader stages a military parade to celebrate victory over Hitler's fascists.

Mr Wallace will use a major speech to say that Mr Putin and his inner circle should share the same fate as the Nazis, who ended up defeated and facing the Nuremberg trials for their atrocities.

In Moscow, Mr Putin will watch the Victory Day parade of military hardware, marking the defeat of the Nazis in 1945.

But according to extracts briefed to The Telegraph and The Times, Mr Wallace will say: “Through their invasion of Ukraine, Putin, his inner circle and generals are now mirroring the fascism and tyranny of 70 years ago, repeating the errors of last century's totalitarian regimes.”

He will add: “Their fate must also, surely, eventually be the same.”

Russia’s sacrifices in the past should not be forgotten, “but nor must the lessons about what lies in store for the perpetrators of such unprovoked brutality”.