THIS is the powerful moment a British journalist bravely challenges Vladimir Putin and labels him as a “weaker leader” than Donald Trump.
Fearless Keir Simmons launched the rare full-frontal attack on the mad despot at his bizarre annual call-in event with Vlad left red-faced with rage.
Simmons was allowed to ask the Russian leader a question at yesterday’s marathon conference as he took the opportunity to lambast Putin over his unsuccessful 2024.
The top NBC journalist said directly to the tyrant: “Mr President you have failed to reach the objectives of your special military operation.
“Large numbers of Russians have died – including a general assassinated here in Moscow this week and the leader of Syria who you supported has been overthrown.
“Mr. President, President-elect Trump, you will be the weakest leader. How do you propose to make concessions? What are you going to offer?”
Before he responded to the question Putin appeared to take a moment to compose himself as he coughed several times to clear his throat.
This crisis continued for some time and the despot seemed to drown in his anger.
In typical tyrant fashion Putin avoided the question altogether as he saved face, according to the clip.
Simmons’ scathing complaint about Russia came after Putin expressed his preference to talk to Trump “any time. “
Vlad said he was ready to meet Trump – who has pledged to end Russia’s invasion with a quick peace after he takes office.
He said the pair would “have things to discuss” but said Trump had not contacted him yet.
Putin added: “Politics is the art of compromise. We have said that we are in a position to negotiate or reach a compromise. “
The dictator also claimed that his bungled invasion, which he thought would capture Kyiv in three days, had made Russia stronger.
He said: “Russia has become much stronger over the past two or three years because it has become a truly sovereign country.
“We are in economic terms, we are strengthening our defense prospects and our military capability is now the most powerful in the world. “
Reacting to Putin’s comments, Zelensky said: “Is he a sane person?
The president’s strange statements were presented to him at his strange annual convocation on Thursday.
The Russian dictator lived up to his typical boastful character by rambling on about how Russia had not lost in Syria despite the rebels’ shameful siege of his friend Assad.
At one point, it even seemed childish when he proposed a “missile duel” with his Orshenik rockets to the United States.
The carefully choreographed press conference is part of Vlad’s agenda, as it gives him the opportunity to speak to his brainwashed fans.
It is broadcast live on state-controlled television and gives the aging tyrant an easy opportunity to exert his harsh symbol of control.
Other topics at the conference included questions regarding Russia’s health care system, infrastructure and social benefits.
Putin even boasted about Russia’s economic performance, which he considered “stable and developing. “
He said: “With the economy as a whole, the situation in Russia is stable, despite external threats and attempts to influence us.”
However, experts believe the Russian economy has suffered a severe blow from the war in Ukraine, a factor Putin has been reluctant to address.
During the four-hour conversation, Putin also appeared to slip up on live television and verify that he had two secret children.
He who enjoyed watching videos with his “little ones”, as he claimed to have two young children with the lover of Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva.
Rumors of secret threads surrounded the despot for years after independent journalists exposed a possible new and growing circle of relatives.
Unverified claims imply that the elderly tyrant and longtime spouse, Kabaeva, a woman decades his junior, would already have children.
Ivan, 9, and Vladimir, 5, will be the last two additions to Putin’s family tree.
He never showed those young women in the Kremlin, officially stating that he has two daughters: Maria Vorontsova, 39, and Katerina Tikhonova, 38.
By Georgie English, Foreign News Reporter
Vladimir Putin’s call sums up the nature of the dictator, who gave the impression of spending many hours trying to convince himself and others that Russia is still in a strong position.
This comes after its war in Ukraine has continually failed, its closest foreign ally, Assad, has been temporarily overthrown, and its troops (including North Korean cannon fodder) continue to die.
The strange event is known as Putin’s annual address.
He answered dozens of questions posed by Russian civilians in a marathon news conference, while discussing his plans for the future.
This is usually their last annual report, but it is used to reinforce their authority and demonstrate their overall control over the country’s political scene.
This year it has selected a number of carefully selected topics, with Syria and Ukraine being the two main topics of discussion.
He admitted that he was open to the idea of having talks with Ukraine to try to end the clash after almost three long years.
In a rare sign of honesty, Vlad said he was willing to accept “negotiations and compromises” when the time for war came.
But his arrogance quickly shone through again as he sensationally claimed Assad’s downfall in Syria isn’t a defeat for Russia.
It comes just days after hordes of Russians were noted fleeing the country, following in the footsteps of Assad, who fled days earlier.
As expected, his speech was free of more complicated questions: Assad’s whereabouts and his thoughts on North Korean troops on the front were notably absent.
An unusual one was Donald Trump, whom Vlad appeared to be trying to convince to contact him in the coming weeks.
Putin said he was happy to talk “at any time” with the president-elect and was in a position to talk about plans for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Moments later, his scathing tongue reappeared as he threw a punch at the United States and provoked them with his menacing arsenal of missiles.
The elderly tyrant even presented the United States with the opportunity to compare weapons in a “missile duel. ”
The final interesting point from the mega call was around how Vlad seemed to open up about his private life for the first time in years.
He spoke of his “little ones” as a beaming smile appeared on his face.
The comments are a big deal for the Kremlin after months of reports claiming he has two secret sons with a much younger lover.
It could potentially hint towards a changed version of Vlad as a more family friendly leader as he enters the next phase of his presidency.
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