Volodymyr Zelesnky has warned Vladimir Putin \u201cwill not survive\u201d as the Ukrainian leader rubbished Russia\u2019s war of attrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zelensky, 45, dismissed his Russian counterpart during an interview with Brazil\u2019s TV Globo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cPutin won\u2019t live that many years. He did not fight in Syria at the pace he is fighting us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is why he will not stand 30 years. He will not exist, he will die.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zelensky went on to claim the 70-year-old Russian leader \u201cwon\u2019t survive even 10 years\u201d, adding Putin knows \u201cdeep down\u201d he cannot subjugate the ex-Soviet state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added: \u201cAll their actions on the battlefield indicate that today Russia is not able to completely occupy Ukraine and destroy us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have soared in recent months, with Kyiv launching its counter-offensive against Putin\u2019s troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine even launched an aerial attack against Moscow, adding to the Kremlin\u2019s growing paranoia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Russian President vowed to use atomic weapons in response to a conventional strike which \u201cthreatens the very existence of the state\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commenting on the prospect of using nuclear weapons, Medvedev said: \u201cThere would simply be no other choice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been suggested the Kremlin would likely use a short-range tactical or \u201cbattlefield\u201d nuclear weapon fired from Russia, Belarus or the occupied part of Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russia could even opt to fire the weapon from an aircraft or submarine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medvedev has suggested Russia could use strategic nuclear weapons several times since Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2020.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Volodymyr Zelesnky has warned Vladimir Putin \u201cwill not survive\u201d as the Ukrainian leader rubbished Russia\u2019s war of attrition. Zelensky, 45, dismissed his Russian counterpart during an interview with Brazil\u2019s TV … <\/p>\n