Russia’s war in Ukraine galvanizes extremists globally

BERLIN — The graphic circulated by the neo-Nazi party shows two arms locked in a handshake, framed by a heading in capital letters, “Nationalists help nationalists.”

“Accommodations wanted for Ukrainian nationalists!” the German group wrote on Telegram, saying, “During the fighting in Ukraine, nationalists are at the forefront.”

Europe’s largest land war since 1945 has brought nationalist passions back with a vengeance. In launching his assault, Russian President Vladimir Putin invoked ethno-nationalist principles of blood and culture, denying the existence of an independent Ukraine. Leaders in Kyiv, responding to the aggression, have welcomed armed nationalist factions into the fold, among them the far-right Azov Battalion.