Zelensky Calls Putin a ‘Dumbass’ After Threat to Test Missile Defense
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded sharply to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent comments during his year-end news conference, calling the Kremlin leader a “dumbass” over remarks about missile strikes.
During the marathon press conference on Thursday, Putin boasted about Russia’s new nuclear-capable missile, the Oreshnik, which had recently been fired at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. He repeated a previous threat to strike Kyiv with the missile, suggesting that such an attack could serve as a “technological experiment” to test Western-supplied air defense systems.
Putin proposed the idea of a “high-tech duel” between Russia and Ukraine: “Let them propose some kind of technological experiment—a kind of high-tech duel of the 21st century. Let them concentrate all their air and missile defense forces in Kyiv, and we will strike there with the Oreshnik. We will see what happens,” he said.
Responding on social media, Zelensky shared an excerpt of Putin’s comments on X, writing in English: “People are dying, and he thinks it’s ‘interesting’… Dumbass.” He also posted the same comment in Ukrainian.
Putin’s Glib Remarks About War
Putin’s comments about Ukraine and the ongoing war were notable for their detached tone. At the start of the conference, he suggested that war brought excitement and action to life, contrasting it with the stagnation of peace. “When everything is calm, measured, stable, you get bored. Stagnation. You need some action. As soon as the action starts, everything whizzes past your head: seconds, bullets. Unfortunately, bullets are whistling now,” he said.
Year-End Press Conference Highlights
Putin’s lengthy year-end news conference is an annual event where he asserts his dominance and control over Russia, often taking questions from the public and responding to phone-ins. This year, much of the focus was on Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, with Putin seeking to emphasize Russia’s territorial gains despite the prolonged conflict.
In his comments, Putin also addressed the possibility of talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, stating that while he hadn’t spoken to Trump in over four years, he was open to a meeting if the new president expressed interest.
“You asked what I can offer to the newly elected President Trump when we meet. First of all, I don’t know when we will meet. He hasn’t said anything about it. I haven’t spoken to him at all in over four years. Of course, I am ready for this at any time,” Putin said.
When asked if Russia’s recent setbacks, including losses in Syria and Ukraine, would weaken its negotiating position, Putin responded defiantly. “You said this conversation will take place when I’m in some weakened state… You, and those people who pay your salaries in the U.S., would very much like Russia to be in a weakened position,” he retorted.
Zelensky’s sharp rebuttal to Putin’s comments highlights the ongoing tensions between the two leaders, as the war in Ukraine continues to escalate with devastating consequences.
