Russian president Vladimir Putin has likened himself to Jesus Christ as he emphasised the importance of combatting what he terms the West’s “Satanic” values.

During a video call to inaugurate several youth centres near Moscow, the Kremlin leader referenced various Bible quotes in an escalating trend of using religion to rationalise his harsh campaign in Ukraine.

He had earlier drawn similarities between his presumed “mission” to guard the youth from the West’s insidious influence and the tale of Christ’s disciples Peter and Andrew, who were tasked with disseminating the word of God. While convening with high-ranking Russian officials, the despotic ruler posed a question: “Do you remember how Jesus came to Galilee and saw the fishermen beside the Sea of Galilee?

“One was catching fish, another was fixing his net. And he said to them: ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men, fishers of human souls.’ They became his evangelists, his students.

“This was very important at a time when world religions were developing … but it is no less current now, when we must defend our traditional values, our culture, our traditions and our history,” he stated, following up with: “This is very important for the future of the country.”

Putin made it clear that he wasn’t trying to promote a strictly Christian doctrine and brought up three of the nation’s other “traditional religions”, namely Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. Around 70% of Russian citizens identify as Christian, and Putin has been playing the religion card. He’s been throwing around biblical references to push the Kremlin’s line.

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