Vladimir Putin"doesn’t have too much time" left,Volodymyr Zelenskyhas claimed, after the Russian dictator vanished from public view for the past week. In recent days, the Moscow state media has broadcast canned - or pre-recorded - footage of theKremlin dictatormeeting officials, it is believed.

It is unclear if his latest absence is for health or other reasons but Mr Zelensky, during a Politico interview at theMunich Security Conference, said: “I’m younger than Putin". The audience laughed but theUkrainianpresident, 48, said: “No, no, believe me this is important. “He doesn’t have too much time, you know. “Not too much time. He has, God bless, not too much time.” Putin, who turned 73 on October 7, appears to have been absent since a speech on February 5.

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However, it is unclear what Mr Zelensky was alluding to.

The Russian dictatorseldom takes holidaysbut vanishes from view several times a year without explanation, while meetings are seen as pre-recorded and shown on state TV. Such absences have led to speculation of Putinundergoing secret medical treatment.

However, lately he has appeared energetic with a busy work schedule despite earlier unproven rumours of serious health conditions. Health concerns were, however, raised in November after the Russian dictatorappeared with "swollen and sore" hands, sparking speculation that the ageing leader could be suffering from a myriad of health complaints including phlebitis, or even cancer.

This came asDonald Trumpcalled on Zelensky to make concessions to Putin, once more claiming that, despite contrary evidence,Russiais seeking a peace deal in a war soon to enter its fifth year.

“Russia wants to make a deal and Zelensky’s going to have to get moving,” said the US president. “Otherwise he’s going to miss a great opportunity. He’s going to have to move.”

Russia is still demandingUkrainecede territory in Donbas, which Putin’s forces have failed to seize during the war, a condition Ukraine refuses to accept ahead of new peace talks inGenevanext week. Mr Zelensky hit back that Ukraine, unlike Russia, has already made concessions - the largest being to accept that Putin is not jailed for war crimes.

Source: Daily Express :: World Feed