VLADIMIR Putin has taken aim at “poorly informed teenager” Greta Thunberg for “telling developing countries they should keep living in poverty”.

The Swedish schoolgirl has risen to global fame, becoming the face of the climate change protest movement around the world.

4 Vladimir Putin said he 'doesn't share the excitement' about Greta Thunberg Credit: AP:Associated Press

4 The schoolgirl slammed world leaders for their inaction in a fiery UN speech Credit: Getty Images - Getty

She was even invited to speak in front of the UN at a recent climate summit, where she slammed world leaders for their “empty words” and urged immediate action.

But the Russian president wasn’t impressed by her impassioned plea, and ripped into the 16-year-old at an energy forum in Moscow yesterday.

He claimed it’s hypocritical to lecture poorer countries on the environmental impact of their bids to become more developed like the West.

Putin said: “I may disappoint you 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.”

FIERY SPEECH

Greta last month blasted governments for thinking only of money as she said the world was sleepwalking into a climate catastrophe.

She raged: "People are suffering, people are dying, entire ecosystems are collapsing, we are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and the fairy tale of endless economic growth. How dare you!”

The teen’s fiery speech was hailed by millions, with climate change activists taking to the streets in huge protests around the world.

But others were less impressed, including Donald Trump who sarcastically mocked her as a “very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future”.

French President Emmanuel Macron also warned her “radical” climate change stance risks “depressing” an entire generation.

And some individuals were even more scathing, with sick trolls branding her “the little girl with mental problems”, and others suggesting she’s “not sexy enough” in vile rants.

But Putin said young people who paid attention to environmental issues should be supported.

However, he cautioned: “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.”

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But critics point out that despite signing up to the Paris climate agreement last month, Russia has long ignored the issue of climate change.

In fact, it even stands to benefit economically as it looks to take advantage of the thawing Arctic to create a new shipping channel along it's usually frozen northern coast.

Putin himself has also said climate change isn’t man-made and expressed scepticism about renewable energy.

He said wind turbines killed birds and disturbed worms – claims he was widely mocked for in Russia despite a law against insulting officials.

4 Greta helped inspire climate change protests around the world, like these in London Credit: Getty Images - Getty

4 Climate change demonstrators march in Mexico Credit: Getty Images - Getty

UN Climate Summit - Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg tells world leaders 'we will never forgive you' if they fail to act on climate change