I want to end the war diplomatically, but only next year. Sorry, but some of our people need to die until I do what I already decided to do

It comes as German chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Mr Putin for the first time in nearly two years.

The German leader urged Mr Putin to pull his forces out of Ukraine and begin talks with Kyiv that would open the way for a “just and lasting peace”, the German government said.

The move was swiftly criticised by Mr Zelensky, who said the call had opened a “Pandora’s box” by undermining efforts to isolate the Russian leader.

“Now there may be other conversations, other calls. Just a lot of words,” said Mr Zelensky in his evening address on Friday. “And this is exactly what Putin has long wanted: it is extremely important for him to weaken his isolation and to conduct ordinary negotiations.”

Diplomacy in 2024 is bad actually. Only next year!

Truly the hero of our time.