His crass analogy was to turn the media attention back on HIM!
Too many people /headlines were not talking about him and all his wonderful achievements
but about a war.
He might also be worried to that any connections he might have with various Russian oligarchs & businesses will become a focus
Happy Birthday - 100 years on Earth
National treasures. Who would you choose?
Has anyone else done anything as daft as this?

but yes, I do find his analogy offensive.