One of Putin’s most infamous lies is that Ukraine has no legitimate history as an independent nation. In a distorted retelling, he claims Ukraine was “created by Russia.”
Reality: Ukraine has a distinct language, culture, and history that predates Russian rule by centuries. Ukrainians fought fiercely for independence long before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 — and overwhelmingly voted for it in a 1991 referendum.
Putin repeatedly claims that Western powers "betrayed" Russia by expanding NATO after the Cold War, violating a supposed verbal promise.
Reality: No formal agreement preventing NATO expansion was ever signed. In fact, many Eastern European nations voluntarily sought NATO membership to protect themselves from possible future Russian aggression.
This was the main excuse Putin used to justify his brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
Reality: Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is Jewish and lost family during the Holocaust. Ukraine is a democracy. Extremist groups have minimal influence. The ICC has since issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest over alleged war crimes, underscoring the brutality of this “de-Nazification” narrative.
Putin paints the U.S., the European Union, and NATO as existential threats determined to annihilate Russia itself.
Reality: The West has consistently said its goal is to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty — not to destroy Russia. Economic sanctions and military aid are aimed at ending the invasion, not toppling the Russian state.
Putin falsely claimed that Ukraine, together with NATO, was preparing a military assault on Russia, leaving him “no choice” but to strike first.
Reality: There is zero evidence Ukraine planned to attack Russia. The Kremlin used this fabricated threat to justify its own unprovoked invasion.
The Kremlin insists that its army is conducting “precision strikes” only against Ukrainian military infrastructure.
Reality: Independent investigations and eyewitness accounts show that Russian forces have bombed hospitals, schools, apartment blocks, theaters, and evacuation routes, killing thousands of civilians.
Facing crippling Western sanctions, Putin claims that Russia’s economy has not only survived but thrived.
Reality: Russia's economy remains under severe strain. While government spending and trade with China provide short-term relief, sanctions have stifled innovation, forced military overproduction, and weakened the ruble.
Putin blames Western sanctions for food shortages in Africa and the Middle East.
Reality: Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports and its attacks on grain storage facilities disrupted the world's food supply — especially in poorer nations that rely heavily on Ukrainian exports.
Putin often portrays the invasion of Ukraine as a “people’s war” backed by overwhelming Russian public support.
Reality: True public opinion is hard to gauge under authoritarian rule. Independent polling suggests that while some Russians support the war out of fear or propaganda, significant opposition exists — seen in protests, mass arrests, and the exodus of hundreds of thousands of Russians fleeing conscription.
Putin tries to frame his regime as a defender of conservative, Christian values against a “decadent” West.
Reality: The Kremlin has weaponized social issues like LGBTQ+ rights and "protecting children" not only to distract domestically, but also to position Russia as a counterpoint to Western liberalism abroad.
Vladimir Putin’s lies aren’t just rhetorical flourishes — they’ve been used to justify war, silence dissent, and destabilize entire regions. Each falsehood serves a purpose: to rewrite history, mask aggression, and maintain control over both domestic audiences and international perception.
In an age of deepfake diplomacy and weaponized narratives, uncovering the truth isn’t just a moral duty — it’s a form of resistance. As the war in Ukraine continues and global tensions rise, the world must stay alert to how propaganda shapes power. The truth matters — and so does the courage to name the lies.
Sources:
How Putin’s Denial of Ukraine’s Statehood Rewrites History, TIME magazine: https://time.com/6150046/ukraine-statehood-russia-history-putin/
Ukrainian history and independence, Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute:
https://www.huri.harvard.edu/russo-ukrainian-war
Putin's July 2021 essay: “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians”
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66181
NATO Fact Sheet: "Setting the Record Straight"
https://www.ucc.ca/2014/04/12/russias-accusations-setting-the-record-straight-nato-fact-sheet/ (Email address needed to gain access)
President Zelensky’s background: BBC Profile
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59667938
ICC arrest warrant for Putin (March 2023):
https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-ukraine-icc-judges-issue-arrest-warrants-against-vladimir-vladimirovich-putin-and
In Responses to Russia, U.S. Stands Firm on Who Can Join NATO:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/world/europe/us-nato-response-russia-demands.html?searchResultPosition=3
Why Trump is Wrong About Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/19/trump-russia-ukraine-invasion-zelensky-putin/
How Do Russians Feel About a War with Ukraine?:
https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2021/12/how-do-russians-feel-about-a-war-with-ukraine?lang=en