VLADIMIR Putin “will die soon” vowed a raging Zelensky, amid rumours of his ill-health and intensifying blitzes on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader pleaded alongside Macron for the US to “stay strong” in the face of Russian skulduggery while Putin is still around.
AFPZelensky said that Putin will soon die, and then it would all be over[/caption]
Putin has long faced rumours of ill health – appearing in pain here as he tightly gripped a table
AFPZelensky and Macron met in Paris ahead of a crucial summit of EU leaders on Thursdy[/caption]
Zelensky and Macron sat down on Wednesday to talk peace, following a shaky Black Sea ceasefire brokered by the US on Tuesday.
Presenting a united front, the men called for Russia to toe the line and for the EU hold together – ahead of a critical summit of leaders on Thursday.
Zelensky said that Putin is trying to “hit the European Union from within” – citing Hungary, which sides with Russia.
But he also vowed: “He [Putin] will die soon, and that’s a fact, and it will come to an end.”
Rumours about Putin’s poor health have gathered steam.
He is often seen with a puffy face, tremors and a twitching legs, fuelling speculation he is on the way out.
The embattled leader said he has faith that “America will […] lead Putin to accept an unconditional ceasefire”, despite continued devastating strikes on Ukraine – including 117 on Tuesday night.
Macron aired his frustration at Putin repeatedly choosing to “reinterpret” ceasefire after leaving the table.
He said: “While saying it wants peace, Russia continues to strike intensely the Ukrainian territory, including civilian targets.”
“Russia cannot dictate conditions of lasting peace for Ukraine.”
Thursday’s meeting of EU leaders will see them once again seek a consensus on how to support Ukraine in the event of a permanent ceasefire deal.
One option is to deploy troops from willing EU nations to keep peace on the ground.
Macron warned on this could lead EU soldiers into direct conflict with Russia.
If Putin violated the terms of any deal, then it would fall to Europe to police the fallout.
Macron also committed to providing an additional $2bn of military support for Ukraine.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nato chief Mark Rutte warned Russia that an attack on Poland, or any alliance member, would face a “devastating” military response.
He also had a message for member nations: “This is not the time to go it alone.”
He said there is “no alternative” to Nato when it comes to keeping Europe safe, and that “nothing can replace America’s nuclear umbrella, the ultimate guarantor of our security”.
And European Union bureaucrats are pushing for every household in the 27-nation bloc to prepare a kit for war and natural disasters.
The Black Sea ceasefire deal agreed on Tuesday reads like it was dictated by Russia, according to experts.
Military analysts told The Sun that it benefits Putin far more than Zelensky, who is trying to salvage a permanent peace deal for his war-torn nation.
After a marathon of negotiations, the White House confirmed it had got both sides to agree to halt strikes in the Black Sea region and on energy infrastructure.
ReutersSmoke billows from a building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, after Russian strikes this week[/caption]
EPAThe White House brokered an ceasefire agreement applying to the Black Sea and energy infrastructure[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
