Vladimir Putin spent several minutes of his interview with US talk show host Tucker Carlson to speak about the origins of Russian statehood.
This bizarre rant has attracted the attention of commentators and historians alike, many of whom have pointed out inaccuracies in the monologue delivered by the Russian leader.
The lengthy deep dive into Russian history, which started with the retelling of events from the year 862, also brought upon Putin the mockery of both everyday internet users and high-profile personalities.
Among them was Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia between 2009 and 2017, who took to social media X to turn Putin’s justification for the aggression against Ukraine against him.
Mr Elbegdorj shared a post including four maps showing how far and wide the Mongol Empire extended in the 15th century, when it encompassed large areas that today belong to Russia, China, India and Turkey.
One of the maps even showed how small Russia was at the time the Mongol Empire was at its peak. Mocking the Russian president, the politician also wrote: “After Putin’s talk. I found Mongolian historic map. Don’t worry. We are a peaceful and free nation”.
Mongolia, which remains a large nation in terms of overall landmass, hasn’t outright condemned the invasion of Ukraine, but hasn’t supported it either over the past two years.
Mr Elbegdorj, on the other hand, has openly supported Kyiv in the face of Russian aggression.
The former Mongolian President, who met Putin multiple times during his time in office, said in February last year: “The world’s democracies must rally with even greater resolve to declare that freedom is non-negotiable, and to give Ukraine the weapons it needs to win.”
He added: “I know Putin does not tolerate freedom. I have sat with him on many occasions. He despises differences and competition. He fears a free Ukraine. As a deep narcissist, he could not afford to see more successful and prosperous neighbours.”
Alongside mockery, the 30-minute lecture has now attracted also demands from nationalists in China, who say their nation has a claim over the city of Vladivostok, a major Russian port in the Far East.
During the interview and in past remarks, the Russian leader has often used history to justify his illegal and unprovoked decision to invade Ukraine.
Months before the invasion, Putin even penned a 5,000-word essay titled “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians”, which included the justification later offered by the Kremlin for the war.
