Where Is Putin? Kremlin Reacts To Zelensky's Doubt Over Russian President's Health

KEY POINTS

Dmitry Peskov, the Russian President's Press Secretary, commented Vladimir Putin "will exist"
Zelensky said Thursday he was not completely sure Putin was still alive
In just a month, the war in Ukraine will complete one year

Russia has reacted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky doubts over Vladimir Putin's health, saying the country and the leader "do and will exist."

Zelensky's comments came as the Russian dictator faced several rumors over his ill health for the past year.

"It is clear that both Russia and Putin are a big problem for Ukraine and for Zelenskyy. And it is clear that purely psychologically, Mr Zelenskyy would prefer that neither Russia nor Putin existed," Dmitry Peskov, the Russian president's Press Secretary, said Friday, according to Pravda.

He added the sooner the Ukrainian authorities "realize that Russia and Putin do and will exist," and that their country will have to "give up everything anti-Russian," the better for the citizens.

Peskov's reaction came after Zelensky said Thursday during a speech in Davos that he was not completely sure whether Putin was still alive.

"I don't quite understand who to talk to and about what. I'm not sure that the Russian president who sometimes appears against a green-screen chromakey is actually the [right] one. I don't quite understand if he is alive or whether he makes decisions, or whoever else makes decisions there. What group of people [could be making any decisions in Russia]? I don't have that kind of information," Zelensky said.

He added: "I don't quite understand how you can promise European leaders one thing, and the next day launch a full-scale invasion of a country. I just don't quite understand with whom we are dealing. When we say 'peace talks,' I don't quite understand with whom [we should be negotiating]."

"It seems to me that Russia should first find 'someone' and then suggest 'something'," Zelensky said, hinting Putin should come forward and discuss the situation in Ukraine.

On Friday, Zelensky thanked U.S. President Joe Biden and the people of America for providing powerful defense support packages to Ukraine as it has been fighting Russia since Feb. 24, 2022.

The fight in Ukraine still continues despite several dialogue efforts.In just a month, the war, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, will complete one year.

Ukrainian Defence Forces said Thursday it has repelled Russian attacks near 16 settlements across three oblasts, hitting nearly 30 clusters of Russian military personnel and seven Russian anti-aircraft missile systems.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also continues to give updates on Facebook as it fights Russian forces.