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Russia's war mad despotic – and now apparently deluded – President Vladimir Putin has claimed that "no Ukraine ever existed in the history of mankind" – despite holding a map with Ukraine clearly written on it

He made the claim during a video clip published by the Kremlin in which he is seen looking at a Louis XIV map made in the 17th century.

The video shows him during a meeting with the chairman of Russia's constitutional court, Valery Zorkin.

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The pair are seen peering over the ancient map, which it is thought was made in 1674, showing Europe and Asia.

Putin then claims that Ukraine was mad by the Soviet government.

He said: “The Soviet government created Soviet Ukraine.

“This is well known to everyone.

“Until then, there was never any Ukraine in the history of humanity.”

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However, Putin appears to have been unable to read the map, as it does show “Ukraine or land of the Cossaks” and the capital of Kyiv, spelled Kiow, many people pointed out on social media.

The history of Ukraine actually dates back to 32,000 BC when humans first settled in the area.

It's first official name was Kievan Rus' in 882, but was renamed to Gallicia-Volhynia in 1199.

Although the Russian empire took most of Ukraine in 1790, it was independent shortly after the 1917 Russian revolution.

It became part of the Soviet Republic in 1919, but left in 1991 – two months before the Soviet Union fell.

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Putin's comments, and apparent lack of historical knowledge or ability to read a map, were ridiculed on social media.

One wrote: “The map clearly says in French 'Ukraine or Land of the Cossacks'.”

And a second pointed out: “Kiev was already the capital of a country named Kievan Ukr, way before Moscow existed.”

And a third added: “Go far back enough, Russia didn't officially exist too – Go figure!”

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• Vladimir Putin
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