Putin brands Prince Charles's 'unacceptable' 'Nazi' remarks as 'not what monarchs do'

Mr Putin gave journalists a personal message to give to the Prince of Wales

Vladimir Putin has branded comments made by Prince Charles where he reportedly compared his actions in Ukraine to Adolf Hitler as “unacceptable”, “wrong” and “not what monarchs do”. (Getty Images)

Vladimir Putin has branded comments made by Prince Charles where he reportedly compared his actions in Ukraine to Adolf Hitler as “unacceptable”, “wrong” and “not what monarchs do” during a press conference in St Petersburg today.

The Russian president’s remarks come days after the Prince of Wales allegedly said “and now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler” during a conversation with museum volunteer Marienne Ferguson.

Mr Putin was asked to respond to the reported comparison during an interview with the world's leading news agencies.

He told journalists he had not heard the remark, but said that if it was made by Prince Charles, "then it is unacceptable".

"I think he himself realises that," Mr Putin said. "He is a well-brought-up person. I know him and other members of the royal family personally. This is not royal behaviour. But I have got used to all kinds of things over the years."

President Putin asked journalists to rely a personal message to the Prince, saying: "Give my words to Prince Charles. He has been to our country more than once, if he made such a comparison, it is unacceptable and I am sure he understands that as a man of manners."

Mr Putin added: "I met him personally, as well as other members of the Royal Family. This is not what monarchs do.

"But over the past few years we have seen so much, nothing surprises me any longer."

The Russian president made clear that he would not allow the disapproval of prominent international figures such as the Prince of Wales to influence his actions in the current crisis in Ukraine.

"I will be guided not by what they say about me anywhere," he said. "I will only be guided by the interests of the Russian people, and I hope our colleagues in Great Britain will keep that in mind and will always remember that when finding solutions to any issues, we are always guided by international law and its norms."

Clarence House has declined to comment on Mr Putin's response.

Additional reporting by Press Association