KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainians refer to Vladimir Putin as "Putler," an amalgamation of Putin and Adolf Hitler.
The label is more than a jab at Putin's obscene lie that Russia invaded Ukraine to fight Nazis — or a reaction to Russia's relentless bombing of civilian targets. "Putler" describes a Russian killer who is mocking the "never again" pledge Western leaders made after Hitler's genocide against Jews and slaughter of millions of other Europeans.
My visit to the jolting Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial in Kyiv, accompanied by its former deputy CEO, Ruslan Kavatsyuk, is a moving reminder of why the term "Putler" perfectly suits this soulless man.
