Vladimir Putin has condemned teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg, claiming she is "poorly informed" and does not understand complex global issues.

Speaking at an energy forum in Moscow, the Russian president also suggested the 16-year-old was manipulated into making unrealistic demands during her impassioned UN speech last month.

He also said he was not "excited" by the teenager, who has inspired an international movement to fight climate change after encouraging other students to miss school for weekly protests.

Image: The Russian president made his comments during an energy forum in Moscow

Mr Putin called her a "kind and sincere girl" but said: "I don't share exultation about Greta Thunberg".

Without elaborating, he added: "It's deplorable when someone is using children and teenagers in their interests.


"Go and explain to developing countries why they should continue living in poverty and not be like Sweden."

During Greta's recent speech in New York - which she travelled to by boat after refusing to fly - she rebuked world leaders for not doing enough to tackle climate change, telling them they had "stolen" her "dreams and childhood" with their "empty words".

Mr Putin says Russia has fulfilled its obligations under an international agreement to tackle global warming.

Image: Donald Trump has previously described climate change as 'a hoax'

Greta his hit back at him in the same way she did after Donald Trump posted a seemingly sarcastic tweet about her.

After her speech at the UN summit, the US president posted a message about her saying: "She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!"

Greta then changed her bio on the social media platform to read: "A very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future."

After Mr Putin's comments, she has now updated her profile to read: "A kind but poorly informed teenager."