Amid rumours about Vladimir Putin's ill-health, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian leader will die soon.
"Putin will die soon and that's a fact," the Ukrainian leader said, "The war will come to an end". He added that Putin is trying to destabilise European Union internally, referring to Hungary's pro-Russian stance.
Zelenskyy's remarks come after Russia launched 117 strikes on Ukraine on Tuesday night. However, he seemed confident that America will... lead Putin to accept an unconditional ceasefire.
There have been continued speculations over Putin's deteriorating health with the Russian leader spotted with puffy face and making jerky movements with his limbs.
Some videos also showed Putin coughing continuously. In another video from 2022, he was seen drooping in his seat while gripping a table in a meeting with a Russian leader.
Kremlin has, however, repeatedly dismissed claims about Putin's ill-health, including reports about his battling Parkinson's disease and cancer.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Zelenskyy on Wednesday, slammed Putin for changing his stance on ceasefire after negotiations. "Russia cannot dictate conditions of lasting peace for Ukraine," he said, announcing an additional $2 billion military assistance for Kyiv.
Macron's promise to supply weapons to Ukraine comes weeks after Trump halted financial and military support to the war-torn country.
The newly appointed Russian Ambassador to the US, Aleksandr Darchiev, said the tied between the two countries have gained some traction but pointed out that more effort are required to come out of the "toxic legacy" of the Joe Biden administration.
With the US growing closer to Russia, Zelenskyy might not have much to hope for without Trump's help. However, it is highly unlikey that Putin's demise would help end the war in Ukraine.