Russia outrage over Prince Charles' Putin remarks

Britain's Prince Charles looks on during his farewell ceremony in Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 21, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW - Recent remarks made by British Prince Charles about President Vladimir Putin have been condemned by Moscow as "unacceptable, shocking and derogatory," in a statement from the Foreign Ministry Thursday.

Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich also accused the royal of being part of a "propaganda campaign" after Prince Charles reportedly compared Putin's actions in Ukraine to the territory-seizing of Adolf Hitler during a trip to Halifax, Canada, on Monday.

"Western media use the members of the British Royal family in the propaganda campaign against Russia over the hot international issue like situation in Ukraine," Lukashevich told reporters.

"We requested formal explanations from the British side over the remarks of the Prince," the Interfax news agency quoted the diplomat as saying.

He added that the Russian position on Ukraine has been well known to the world, including British politicians.

"Obviously, our approach to a row of acute moments differs strongly, and there are legitimate channels to discuss them. It doesn't suppose (the British politicians) to promote their opinions at the wide public floor," Lukashevich said.

The off-the-cuff remarks have also stirred heated debate in Western media over whether members of the British Royal family should speak publicly about controversial political issues.