Putin branded a 'nobody' in withering putdown by Zelensky during brutal attack

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the Russian president as a “nobody” who lives in an “information bubble” as he discussed Putin’s attack on Ukraine.

As speculation of a Russian offensive in Ukraine grows, Zelenskyy claims Putin doesn’t know what is happening on the battlefield.

He said he "doesn't understand who makes decisions in Russia" and while Moscow asks for peace, it then attacks his country with missiles at night.

"They don't want any talks, and this was the case before the invasion. President Putin decided so," Zelenskyy told Sky News.

"He doesn't want negotiations because he doesn't want peace. I am convinced that Ukraine is just the first step for him. I am convinced that he is waging a big war.

Russia: Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine almost a year ago
SPUTNIK

"But after Ukraine there will be further steps, there will be other countries, if we fail to withstand. I think we will manage, we will get support and we will win."

Following the invasion of Ukraine almost a year, the country’s president describes it as the start of a “long, difficult day”.

"I remember there were explosions and calls in the night and I said [to my wife], 'Get ready. You should get our children ready and tell them what's going on and be prepared because it won't be safe to stay in the president's residence [where we had been living at the time]',” he recalled.

But Zelenskyy says a face-to-face meeting with Putin to resolve the conflict is “not interesting” to him.

“Not interesting to meet, not interesting to speak. Why? Because we had meeting with him in Normandy Format, it was before full-scale invasion. I saw the man who said one thing and then did another,” he explained.

"I can't understand - is it his decisions or somebody else? So to meet what, to shake hands? Not interesting. To speak? I really don't understand who makes decisions in Russia.

"Who is he now? After full-scale invasion, for me he is nobody, nobody."

In the city of Bakhmut, Russia’s Wagner mercenaries and Ukrainian forces have been locked in battle for months while speculation of a Russian surge in southern and eastern Ukraine accelerates.

The Ukrainian President says he is 'not interested' in meeting Putin for peace talks
Matt Dunham

The Ukrainian President says it is crucial for their forces to be prepared.

"For me, people are the number one priority. That's why I don't want to fight on Russian territory. I just want them to stop the war as quickly as possible, and leave our country as fast as possible,” he said.

"I can tell you for sure if they leave our territory the war will stop."