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Parallels Between Hitler’s Germany and Putin’s Russia
Reading Richard Overy’s “The Third Reich”, which chronicles Hitler’s rise to power and the events preceding the Second World War, brings to mind striking similarities with Russia’s trajectory under Vladimir Putin. Both leaders have demonstrated a pronounced sense of grievance over territorial losses: Hitler’s resentment focused on the Rhineland, lost because of Allied-imposed treaties after World War I, while for Putin, it is the disintegration of the Soviet Union that continues to inform his outlook.
The parallels extend beyond territorial grievances. Both Hitler and Putin consolidated absolute power through a series of calculated political manoeuvres. They have each viewed Western democracies as weak and indecisive and have actively tested the resolve of these democracies—Hitler through successive violations of international agreements, and Putin through increasingly assertive territorial actions, even challenging the unity and credibility of NATO.
In Putin’s case, the story is still unfolding. Russia’s substantial and ongoing investment in a war economy adds a layer of uncertainty to the future. This has prompted an examination of recent events in Russia alongside the history of interwar Germany, revealing a comparative chronology that raises important questions about Europe’s security.
Implications for Europe’s Security
Given these historical echoes, there is cause for concern. The reliability of the USA as the primary guarantor of European security is now in doubt. Without a radical shift in Europe’s approach—such as a significant increase in defence spending and a move towards a war economy—the consequences could be dire. The risk is not limited to the potential capitulation of Ukraine; it may extend to future invasions of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and perhaps even Poland. Such a scenario would have clear historical precedents, as Poland’s invasion was the catalyst for the outbreak of the Second World War. The lessons of history suggest that passivity is not an option. Rather than waiting to see what unfolds, there is an urgent need for proactive measures to ensure the security and stability of Europe
| Hitler (1936–1939) | Putin (2008–2025) |
| Remilitarization of the Rhineland (March 1936). Hitler sent troops into the demilitarized Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties. He gambled that war-weary European powers would not react militarily. Western Reaction: France and Britain registered formal protests but took no military action, viewing the move as Germany merely “walking into its own backyard.” This inaction emboldened Hitler’s future aggression. | Invasion of Georgia (August 2008). Following tensions over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russian forces invaded Georgia, stopping short of the capital, Tbilisi. Russia recognized the regions as independent states, effectively establishing military footholds. Western Reaction: The EU mediated a ceasefire (Sarkozy Plan). The US and Europe condemned the action but avoided severe sanctions. Relations were normalized quickly; the US announced a “Reset” in relations just months later (2009). |
| Anschluss with Austria (March 1938). Hitler forced the annexation of Austria, framing it as the reunification of the German people (Volksdeutsche). A rigged plebiscite was held after the Wehrmacht occupied the country to legitimize the takeover. Western Reaction: Britain and France issued diplomatic protests but accepted the annexation as a fait accompli. The policy of “Appeasement” was in full effect, with Western leaders hoping this would satisfy Hitler’s Pan-German ambitions. | Annexation of Crimea (February–March 2014) Russian special forces (“Little Green Men”) seized the Crimean Peninsula. A disputed referendum was held to justify the annexation, framing it as the will of the people and a reunification of historical Russian lands. Western Reaction: The US and EU imposed targeted economic sanctions and expelled Russia from the G8. However, there was no military intervention. Western powers prioritized de-escalation, treating it as a localized crisis rather than a global thre |
| Sudetenland Crisis (September 1938) Hitler demanded the Sudetenland (border regions of Czechoslovakia) under the pretext of protecting 3 million ethnic Germans from alleged persecution. He threatened war if his demands were not met. Western Reaction: The Munich Agreement: Britain (Chamberlain) and France agreed to let Germany annex the Sudetenland in exchange for a “promise of peace.” Czechoslovakia was forced to concede territory without being present at the negotiations. | War in Donbas (2014–2022) Russia supported separatist militias in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, claiming to protect Russian speakers from “genocide” by the Ukrainian government. Russian troops and equipment were covertly deployed to sustain the conflict. Western Reaction: Minsk Agreements: France and Germany brokered ceasefires (Minsk I & II) to freeze the conflict. The US and EU provided non-lethal military aid and training to Ukraine but avoided direct involvement to prevent escalation with a nuclear power |
| Invasion of Czechoslovakia (March 1939). Breaking the Munich Agreement, Hitler invaded the remaining Czech lands (Bohemia and Moravia), establishing a “Protectorate.” This proved his goal was conquest, not just reuniting Germans. Western Reaction: The policy of Appeasement officially ended. Britain and France realized Hitler could not be trusted and issued security guarantees to Poland, drawing a “red line” for the next aggression. | Recognition of DPR/LPR & Buildup (Feb 2022) Putin formally recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and openly ordered troops into the regions as “peacekeepers,” declaring the Minsk agreements dead. Western Reaction: The US and European nations declared this a violation of international law. They began implementing the first tranche of “severe” pre-prepared sanctions and moved NATO reinforcements to the eastern flank (Poland, Baltics). |
| Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939) Hitler invaded Poland using a manufactured border incident as a pretext. He aimed to remove Poland as a state and secure “Lebensraum” (living space) in the East. Western Reaction: Britain and France issued an ultimatum for German withdrawal. When ignored, they declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, marking the beginning of World War II. | Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine (Feb 24, 2022) Putin launched a “Special Military Operation,” aiming to “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine, effectively seeking regime change and the seizure of Kyiv. Western Reaction: Unprecedented global sanctions were imposed to isolate the Russian economy. The US and EU began massive shipments of lethal military aid (Javelins, Stingers, later artillery/tanks). NATO consolidated unity, but direct military intervention was ruled out |
| World War II Begins | Incursions or invasions of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania? Invasion of Poland? WWIII Begins |
Should we be worried? I think so.
