Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a bold claim, said his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin "will die soon" and it would bring an end to the war between the two nations. Zelenskyy's remarks, during an interview in Paris, come amid widespread speculation about the Russian President's health.
"He (Putin) will die soon, and that's a fact, and it (the war) will come to an end," Zelenskyy told reporters after his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday.
For several months, Putin's health has been the subject of speculation and rumours. Videos of the Russian leader coughing incessantly, and his hands and feet making involuntary jerky movements have only added grist to the rumour mill.
One video that grabbed attention in 2022 showed Putin slouching in his chair while gripping a table during a meeting with former defence minister Sergei Shoigu.
There have also been unverified reports of Putin suffering from Parkinson's disease, and that he has been battling cancer. However, the Kremlin has always denied such claims.
The Ukrainian leader also accused Russia of "dragging out the conflict" despite peace overtures. "Russia wants this war to continue. It is dragging it out. We need to put pressure on Russia so that the war ends indeed," Zelenskyy said.
The development comes as Ukraine and Russia agreed to a 30-day halt to strikes on energy targets. However, drone strikes have continued despite the fragile ceasefire brokered by the US last week.
Ukraine claimed 117 drone attacks by Russia this week, with the city of Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy's hometown, being hit by the biggest drone strike since the war began three years ago.
On the other hand, Russia claimed Ukraine attempted to attack a gas storage facility in Crimea and energy infrastructure in Kursk and Bryansk regions. It claimed to have destroyed nine Ukrainian drones.
Source: India Today