This is the crosshairs of British journalist Vladimir Putin, who bravely calls him a “weaker leader” than Donald Trump.
The intrepid Keir Simmons introduced the rare frontal attack on the mad despot in his rare annual occasion with Vlad red with rage.
Simmons was allowed to ask the Russian leader a question at yesterday’s marathon conference, as he took the opportunity to criticize Putin for his failure in 2024.
The most sensible NBC journalist told the tyrant: “Mr. President, you have not achieved 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 when you face President-elect Trump you will be the weaker leader, how do you propose to compromise, 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 fit continued for some time with the despot seemingly choking on his own rage.
In generally tyrannical fashion, Putin has absolutely avoided the question to save face, according to the clip.
The scathing Russian review from Simmons came just after Putin spoke about his desire to speak with Trump “any time”.
Vlad said he was in a position to meet with Trump, who has pledged to end the Russian 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 claimed that his failed invasion, which he claimed would capture kyiv within three days, had strengthened Russia.
He said: “Russia has become much more powerful in the last two or three years because it has become a de facto sovereign country.
“We are economically strong, we are strengthening our defense prospects and our military capacity is now the most powerful in the world. “
Reacting to Putin’s comments, Zelensky said: “Is he a sane person?
The president’s bizarre statements were presented to him at his bizarre 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, he even seemed childish when he proposed that the United States engage in a “missile duel” with its Orshenik rockets.
The tightly choreographed press conference has become part of Vlad’s calendar as it gives him a chance to speak to his brainwashed fans.
It is broadcast live on state-controlled television and gives the elderly tyrant a simple 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: “The scenario of the Russian economy as a whole 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 liked to watch movies with his “little ones,” as he claimed to have two young children with Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva’s mistress.
Rumors about secret children surrounded the despot for years after independent journalists discovered a possible new family in the making.
The unverified claims say the ageing tyrant and long-term partner Kabaeva – a woman decades younger than him – actually have boys already.
Ivan, 9, and Vladimir, 5, will be the last two additions to Putin’s family tree.
He never showed those young men in the Kremlin, officially claiming that he has two daughters: Maria Vorontsova, 39, and Katerina Tikhonova, 38.
By Georgie English, Foreign News Reporter
VLADIMIR Putin’s intervention sums up the nature of the dictator, who gave the impression of spending several hours trying to convince himself and his others that Russia is still in a position of strength.
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.
In it he answers dozens of questions from Russian civilians in a marathon news conference while also touching on 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 he has selected a number of carefully selected topics, with Syria and Ukraine being the two main topics of discussion.
He admitted that he is open to the idea of holding talks with Ukraine to try to close the clash after almost three long years.
In a rare sign of honesty, Vlad said he is willing to accept “negotiations and compromises” when it comes to the war.
But his arrogance quickly shone through again as he sensationally claimed Assad’s downfall in Syria isn’t a defeat for Russia.
This comes just days after hoards of Russian soldiers were seen fleeing the country – following in Assad’s footsteps who sneaked away 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 involved Donald Trump, whom Vlad gave the impression he was trying to convince to talk to him in the coming weeks.
Putin said he is happy to talk “anytime” with the president-elect and is ready to discuss ceasefire plans in Ukraine.
Moments later, his biting tongue reappeared as he threw a punch at the United States and taunted 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 discussed his “little ones” as a beaming smile gave the impression on his face.
The comments are highly favorable to the Kremlin after months of reports claiming he has two secret children with a much younger mistress.
This could potentially be due to a modified version of Vlad as a more family-friendly leader as he enters the next phase of his presidency.
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