This is the crosshairs of British journalist Vladimir Putin, who bravely calls him a “weaker leader” than Donald Trump.

The intrepid Keir Simmons introduced the rare frontal attack on the mad despot on his odd annual occasion with Vlad red with rage.

Simmons was allowed to ask the Russian leader a question at yesterday’s marathon conference, while taking the opportunity to criticize Putin for his failure in 2024.

The top NBC journalist said directly to the tyrant: “Mr President you have failed to reach the objectives of your special military operation.

“Several Russians have been killed, in addition to a general killed here in Moscow this week, and the Syrian leader you supported has been overthrown.

“Mr President when you face President-elect Trump you will be the weaker leader, how do you propose to compromise, what are you going to offer?”

Before answering the question, Putin appeared to take a moment to compose himself, coughing several times to clear his throat.

This crisis continued for some time, and the despot probably drowned out his own anger.

In typical tyrant fashion Putin avoided the question altogether as he saved face, according to the clip.

The scathing Russian review from Simmons came just after Putin spoke about his desire to speak with Trump “any time”.

Vlad said he was in a position to meet with Trump, who has pledged to end the Russian invasion with a quick peace after taking office.

He said the two men would have “things to discuss” but said Trump had still contacted him.

Putin added: “Politics is the art of compromise. We have said that we are in a position to negotiate or reach a compromise. “

The dictator also claimed that his bungled invasion, which he thought would capture Kyiv in three days, had made Russia stronger.

He said: “Russia has become much more powerful in the last two or three years because it has become a de facto sovereign country.

“We stand company in terms of the economy, we our defense prospective and our army capacity is now the most powerful in the world. ”

In response to Putin’s comments, Zelensky said: “Do you think he is a sane person?”

The president’s strange statements were presented to him at his strange annual convocation on Thursday.

The Russian dictator lived up to his typical boastful nature as he rambled on about Russia not losing in Syria despite the embarrassing rebel siege on his pal Assad.

At one point he even came across as childish when he offered out the US to a bizarre “missile duel” involving his Orshenik rockets.

The tightly choreographed press conference has become part of Vlad’s calendar as it gives him a chance to speak to his brainwashed fans.

It airs live on state-controlled television and gives the aging tyrant an easy opportunity to use his harsh symbol of control.

Other issues discussed at the convention included issues related to Russia’s healthcare system, infrastructure, and social benefits.

Putin even boasted about Russia’s economic performance, which he considered “stable and developing. “

“The scenario of the Russian economy as a whole is stable, despite external threats and attempts to influence us,” he said.

However, experts say the Russian economy has been hit hard by the war in Ukraine, a factor Putin has been reluctant to address.

During the four-hour conversation, Putin also gave the impression of making a mistake on air by verifying that he had two secret children.

He who enjoyed watching videos with his “little ones”, as he claimed to have two young children with the lover of Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva.

Rumors of secret threads surrounded the despot for years after independent journalists exposed a possible new and growing circle of relatives.

The unverified claims say the ageing tyrant and long-term partner Kabaeva – a woman decades younger than him – actually have boys already.

Ivan, 9 and Vladimir, 5, are said to be the latest two additions to the Putin family tree.

He has never confirmed these children with the Kremlin officially stating he has just two daughters – Maria Vorontsova, 39, and Katerina Tikhonova, 38.

By Georgie English, Foreign News Reporter

Vladimir Putin’s intervention sums up the nature of the dictator, who appeared to spend several hours trying to convince himself and his others that Russia is still in a position of strength.

This comes after its war in Ukraine continually failed, its closest foreign ally Assad was temporarily overthrown, and its troops (including North Korean cannon fodder) continued to die.

This occasion is known as Putin’s annual speech.

He answered dozens of questions posed by Russian civilians in a marathon news conference, while discussing his plans for the future.

This is usually his last annual review, but he uses it to strengthen his authority and demonstrate his complete control over the country’s political scene.

This year he has selected a number of carefully selected topics, with Syria and Ukraine being the two main topics of discussion.

He admitted that he is open to the idea of holding talks with Ukraine to try to close the clash after almost three long years.

In a rare sign of honesty, Vlad said he was willing to accept “negotiations and compromises” when the time for war came.

But his arrogance became temporarily evident when he sensationally claimed that the fall of Assad in Syria was not a defeat for Russia.

This comes just days after hoards of Russian soldiers were seen fleeing the country – following in Assad’s footsteps who sneaked away days earlier.

Unsurprisingly, his speech was free of more difficult questions: Assad’s whereabouts and his mind about North Korean troops on the front lines were notably absent.

One unusual remark centred around Donald Trump who Vlad seemed to be trying to convince to speak to him in the coming weeks.

Putin said he was happy to speak “at any time” with the president-elect and was in a position to discuss plans for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Moments later, his biting tongue reappeared as he threw a punch at the United States and taunted them with his menacing arsenal of missiles.

The elderly tyrant even presented the United States with the opportunity to compare weapons in a “missile duel. ”

The most appealing point of the mega-call was how Vlad seemed to open up about his personal life for the first time in years.

He mentioned his “little ones” as a beaming smile appeared across his face.

The comments are heavily pro-Kremlin after months of reports claiming he has two secret children with a much younger mistress.

It could potentially hint towards a changed version of Vlad as a more family friendly leader as he enters the next phase of his presidency.

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