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Vladimir Putin condemns Prince Charles's 'Nazi' remarks Vladimir Putin condemns Prince Charles's 'Nazi' remarks
(35 minutes later)
Vladimir Putin has described Prince Charles's reported comparison of him with Adolf Hitler as "unacceptable".Vladimir Putin has described Prince Charles's reported comparison of him with Adolf Hitler as "unacceptable".
A former Polish war refugee who met the Prince of Wales during a royal tour to Canada said he had likened some Nazi actions in Europe to those of Mr Putin.A former Polish war refugee who met the Prince of Wales during a royal tour to Canada said he had likened some Nazi actions in Europe to those of Mr Putin.
The Russian president, who has faced criticism in the West over Russia's actions in Ukraine, said if the prince had made such comments they were "wrong" and "not royal behaviour".The Russian president, who has faced criticism in the West over Russia's actions in Ukraine, said if the prince had made such comments they were "wrong" and "not royal behaviour".
Clarence House declined to comment.Clarence House declined to comment.
'Well brought-up''Well brought-up'
Asked about the prince's reported comments during an interview with international news agencies, the Russian president said: "In such cases, I am reminded of a good expression: If you're angry, you're wrong.Asked about the prince's reported comments during an interview with international news agencies, the Russian president said: "In such cases, I am reminded of a good expression: If you're angry, you're wrong.
"Pass this on both to the prime minister and Prince Charles. He has visited our country many times. I did not hear him say that."Pass this on both to the prime minister and Prince Charles. He has visited our country many times. I did not hear him say that.
"If that is so, then of course it is unacceptable. I think that he himself understands this. He is a well-brought-up man. I am acquainted both with him and members of the royal family."If that is so, then of course it is unacceptable. I think that he himself understands this. He is a well-brought-up man. I am acquainted both with him and members of the royal family.
"This is not royal behaviour.""This is not royal behaviour."
The alleged comments were made during a conversation with a former Polish war refugee during a royal tour to Canada. Despite criticism from the UK of Russia's recent actions, Mr Putin played down a worsening of relations between the countries.
The prince was speaking to 78-year-old Marienne Ferguson, who left Poland for Canada shortly before the Nazi occupation, at an immigration museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He added: "I think that if our partners in Great Britain, just as I am, are guided by national interests rather than some other considerations, then all this will pass quite quickly and we'll continue to co-operate as we have done before".
BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall described Mr Putin's comments as a "qualified rebuke" but said the episode had generated quite a restrained response from the Kremlin and in the Russian press.
The Russian president made clear this would not "go on to become a real diplomatic problem" between the Britain and Russia, she said.
D-Day anniversary
The prince's alleged comments were made during a conversation with a former Polish war refugee during a royal tour to Canada.
He was speaking to 78-year-old Marienne Ferguson, who left Poland for Canada shortly before the Nazi occupation, at an immigration museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
They had been discussing Hitler's takeover of countries. Ms Ferguson said the prince said "something to the effect of 'it's not unlike... what Putin is doing'".They had been discussing Hitler's takeover of countries. Ms Ferguson said the prince said "something to the effect of 'it's not unlike... what Putin is doing'".
National interests The prince and the Russian president are both due to attend a D-Day anniversary event in France next month.
The Russian embassy said the reported remarks were "outrageous", but reaction in the UK was more supportive of the prince.The Russian embassy said the reported remarks were "outrageous", but reaction in the UK was more supportive of the prince.
Prime Minister David Cameron said he would not comment on a private conversation but added that "everyone is entitled to their private opinions".Prime Minister David Cameron said he would not comment on a private conversation but added that "everyone is entitled to their private opinions".
And Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said Prince Charles was "free to express himself", while Labour leader Ed Miliband said the prince "has got a point".And Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said Prince Charles was "free to express himself", while Labour leader Ed Miliband said the prince "has got a point".
The UK has said Russia faces "growing political isolation" over its actions in Ukraine, including the annexation of a chunk of Ukraine's territory, the Crimean peninsula.The UK has said Russia faces "growing political isolation" over its actions in Ukraine, including the annexation of a chunk of Ukraine's territory, the Crimean peninsula.
But in the interview, Mr Putin played down a worsening of relations.
He added: "I think that if our partners in Great Britain, just as I am, are guided by national interests rather than some other considerations, then all this will pass quite quickly and we'll continue to co-operate as we have done before".