“Poorly informed teenager”: Vladimir Putin weighs in on Greta Thunberg
Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken aim at Swedish schoolgirl and climate change activist Greta Thunberg, calling her a “poorly informed teenager” who is being “used by adults”.
The world leader, 66, said the 16-year-old should quit “telling developing countries why they should live in poverty” over her campaign to cut fossil fuel use.
While at the energy forum today Putin expressed he did not share the same excitement about Thunberg’s United Nations speech last month.
The swede unleashed at the UN summit in New York when she denounced world leaders for failing to tackle climate change issues.
While Putin did not name any specific groups, he said it was “deplorable” Thunberg was being used by groups to achieve their own goals.
“I may disappoint you,” the Russian leader said at a session titled Energy Partnership for Sustainable Growth in Moscow, Russia.
“But I don't share the common excitement about the speech by Greta Thunberg.
“No one has explained to Greta that the modern world is complex and different and...people in Africa or in many Asian countries want to live at the same wealth level as in Sweden.
“Go and explain to developing countries why they should continue living in poverty and not be like Sweden.”
US President Donald Trump mocked Thunberg and Canadian Member of Parliament Maxime Bernier labelled her alarmist and mentally unstable.
Thunberg was not deterred by the comments however and said the mockery of children who were protesting showed her message had become “too loud to handle”.
Putin said while young people who paid attention to environmental issues should be supported, he believes: “when someone is using children and teenagers in personal interests, it only deserves to be condemned.
“I'm sure that Greta is a kind and very sincere girl. But adults must do everything not to bring teenagers and children into some extreme situations.”
Thunberg made international headlines in September as she inspired millions of people across 150 countries to take to the streets for the Global Strike 4 Climate.