TOP STORIES

· Russian President Vladimir Putin says the conflict with 'Nazi' Ukraine was inevitable, accusing the West of hammering historical nonsense into the heads of millions of people. He also repeated a claim that Poland had not abandoned dreams of taking over parts of Ukraine.

· Putin publicly endorsed the evacuation of civilians from parts of Ukraine's southern Kherson region, the latest sign of Russia's retreat in one of the most bitterly contested areas in Ukraine.

· The U.S. has announced an additional $400 million in military aid to Ukraine, including refurbishing T-72 tanks and missiles for HAWK air defense systems for Kyiv.

· Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said destructive forces were trying to undermine Russian historical memory and sow discord in society.

· U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Group of Seven countries is focusing more of its security support on helping Ukraine protect against Russia's attacks on its energy grid.

· Ukrainian forces are using captured weapons fired at Russian targets near the key eastern city of Bakhmut as fighting dragged on in an area that Moscow is trying hard to capture.

· Russia wants the West to ease restrictions on state agriculture lender Rosselkhozbank to facilitate Russian grain exports made during talks to extend a deal on food shipments from Ukraine.

· The Netherlands will supply Ukraine with tanks and other heavy military equipment with a total worth of $119 million.

IN DETAIL

Fighting 'Nazi' Ukraine was inevitable and Poland has dreams – Putin

President Vladimir Putin says the conflict with 'Nazi' Ukraine was inevitable, while accusing the West of hammering out historical nonsense. He also repeated claims Poland had not abandoned dreams of taking over parts of Ukraine.

"If we hadn't acted in February, then everything would have been the same but even worse for us," Putin said in a justification for starting what Moscow casts as a "special military operation" on February 24.

"Over the last 10 years, after the fall of the Soviet Union, Western countries interfered in Ukraine's affairs both directly and covertly. They tried to do the same with Russia.

"Unfortunately, in Ukraine, they managed to instill 'pseudo-values' into the minds of millions of people, which practically led to the creation of an 'anti-Russia' in that country."

He also said efforts were also "continuing to weaken, decimate and destroy Russia", but that he would not allow that to happen. 

"We will defend our fatherland, just as our heroic ancestors did," Putin added.

Speaking in Moscow on Russia's Unity Day, the Russian president also praised India as having much potential and accused Western empires of robbing Africa.

Without citing evidence, Putin also repeated a claim that Poland had expansive ambitions in Ukraine.

"We have always treated and treat Poland with great respect. It's our neighbor," Putin added.

"There were times when we had a really close relationship. We had problems as well. We also know about the ideas of the Polish political 'beau monde' about the creation of the Great State from sea to sea. 

"There were talks about it before World War II. It was a fixed idea: From the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. 

"Now, we see these embraces of Polish and Ukrainian officials, but the idea is alive. And the idea of absorption of Ukraine is still there."