Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

16 March 2025, 12:37 | Updated: 16 March 2025, 13:39

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.
Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'. Picture: LBC

By Alice Padgett

A former advisor of Russian President Vladimir Putin has told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking with LBC's Lewis Goodall, Sergei Markov, former advisor to President Putin and Russian representative to the Council of Europe, discussed the possibility of a peace deal.

Markov told Goodall that Ukrainians should be 'thankful' because they will be 'liberated' from a 'neo-Nazi' terrorist regime by Russia's bombs.

"Your government keeps this information secret. Your government is not giving information to your citizens about this tragic truth," he told Goodall.

Lewis Goodall's explosive interview with 'Putin ally' | LBC

When questioned about the killing of Ukrainians he said: "Nobody like bombs. Even those people who like Russia living in Ukraine, they don't like Russian rocket missiles and Russian bombs."

"I will never will be thankful for the killing," he said.

The former advisor argued that Ukraine was a part of Russia so citizens would be glad to be reunified.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Venezuelan President via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on March 14, 2025.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Venezuelan President via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on March 14, 2025. Picture: Getty

LBC's Goodall asked Putin's ally about a possible ceasefire deal, to which Markov said: "Their plan from the beginning was just to make Ukrainian army more strong.

"That's why Russia concerned that probably this ceasefire again will be used by Western countries just to make Ukrainian army more strong and to start the war again."

Markov was concerned that Ukraine has invaded Kursk, killed Russian citizens and occupied that territory

Goodall quickly pointed out that Russia has killed a lot of Ukrainian citizens and invaded in the first place - which Markov denied.

The advisor said that "peace keepers should be from neutral countries" instead of the UK.

Press Briefing Of Volodymyr Zelenskyi In Kyiv
Press Briefing Of Volodymyr Zelenskyi In Kyiv. Picture: Getty

Markov continued to compare the 'neo-Nazi' occupation of Ukraine to Third Reich Germany.

He argued that Russia was 'liberating' Ukraine from occupation - like Britain and the allied forces did for Germany in World War Two.

"Can I invite you to join us in on Planet Reality?" Lewis Goodall said.

UK Prime Minister Hosts Video Conference With International Leaders To Discuss Ukraine
UK Prime Minister Hosts Video Conference With International Leaders To Discuss Ukraine. Picture: Getty

This comes as Sir Keir Starmer has said plans for Ukraine peacekeeping efforts set out by the 'coalition of the willing' are ready to move into an "operational phase" ahead of military chiefs meeting this week.

The British Prime Minister held the virtual summit on Saturday morning, with some 25 fellow leaders in attendance - a group dubbed the “coalition of the willing”.

Sir Keir also confirmed coalition military chiefs are set to meet in London on Thursday as nations move towards "just a lasting peace in Ukraine".

The Prime Minister warned that Putin's "yes but..." as a negotiation tactic was simply "not good enough".

"Stop and agree to a ceasefire now", he said.

"We won’t sit back and wait for Putin to act, instead we will keep pushing forward".

Sir Keir said that the coalition will put pressure on Russia and "weaken their war machine" if Putin rejects a peace deal.

This comes as a virtual summit, held by the Prime Minister on Saturday morning, saw world leaders including French President Emanuel Macron gather online as they unite behind Ukraine.

Late on Friday, Donald Trump insisted that peace talks are going "really well", despite claims that Putin is trying to delay the deal.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Technology firms must tackle illegal content on their platforms under new rules, but there are concerns that the changes are too weak.

New Ofcom powers for online safety come into force as charities warn of 'major gaps' in legislation

The rebels on Sunday claimed to have targeted the USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group with missiles and a drone.

US fights off Houthi drone attacks on aircraft carrier after Trump ramps up strikes on Yemen

Jack Draper of Great Britain celebrates after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark to win the Men's Singles Final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025

Britain’s Jack Draper wins Indian Wells Open after beating Holger Rune in biggest title of his career

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

20 arrested including government officials after 59 killed in North Macedonia night club fire

Alton Towers' latest attraction, Toxicator, was forced to close on its opening day after a burst pipe caused a leak of brown liquid.

‘Nightmare day’ - New Alton Towers attraction ‘Toxicator’ forced to close on opening day after burst pipe

People sit on deckchairs on brown-coloured dry grass, in the sunshine in Hyde Park in central London

Parts of UK to be hotter than Ibiza and Corfu next week as first day of spring looms

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the second goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Liverpool vs Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium, London.

Newcastle crowned Carabao Cup winners, taking home first major trophy in 70 years

Kanye West, left, and Kim Kardashian attend the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards on Nov. 6, 2019, in New York.

‘You’re going to have to kill me’ - Kanye leaks chilling texts with Kim after involving daughter in Diddy scandal

Pilot Mike Beaton was sacked for snorting cocaine off a passengers breasts in 2023.

British Airways pilot back in the skies after snorting drugs off woman's breasts before flight

Iran has denied backing Yemen's Houthis after the US launched airstrikes in the country's capital and Donald Trump promised to 'hold Iran accountable' for allegedly supporting the rebels.

Iran denies aiding Houthi rebels after US strikes Yemen and Trump threatens to hold Tehran 'fully accountable'

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Fundraiser for playground in memory of Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King reaches £250,000