VLADIMIR Putin “will die soon” vowed a raging Zelensky, amid rumours of the Russian’s ill-health and intensifying blitzes on Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader pleaded alongside Macron for the US to “stay strong” in the face of Russian skulduggery while Putin is still around.

Zelensky and Macron sat down on Wednesday to talk peace, following a shaky Black Sea ceasefire brokered by the US on Tuesday.

Presenting a united front, the men called for Russia to toe the line and for the EU hold together – ahead of a critical summit of leaders on Thursday.

Zelensky said that Putin is trying to “hit the European Union from within” – citing Hungary, which sides with Russia.

But he also vowed: “He [Putin] will die soon, and that’s a fact, and it will come to an end.”

Rumours about Putin’s poor health have gathered steam.

He is often seen with a puffy face, tremors and a twitching legs, fuelling speculation he is on the way out.

The embattled leader said he has faith that “America will […] lead Putin to accept an unconditional ceasefire”, despite continued devastating strikes on Ukraine – including 117 on Tuesday night.

Macron vented at Putin repeatedly choosing to “reinterpret” ceasefire after leaving the table.

He said: “While saying it wants peace, Russia continues to strike intensely the Ukrainian territory, including civilian targets.

“Russia cannot dictate conditions of lasting peace for Ukraine.”

Thursday’s meeting of EU leaders will see them once again seek a consensus on how to support Ukraine in the event of a permanent ceasefire deal.

One option is to deploy troops from willing EU nations to keep peace on the ground.

But Macron warned on this could lead EU soldiers into direct conflict with Russia.

If Putin attacked Ukrainian soil, this would constitute an attack on the peacekeepers too, he said.

It would fall to the troops from countries such as the UK and France to hit back against Russia.

Macron also committed to $2bn more in military aid for Ukraine, emphasising that now is a “decisive phase to put an end to the war of aggression”.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nato chief Mark Rutte warned Russia that an attack on Poland, or any alliance member, would trigger a “devastating” military response.

He also had a message for member nations: “This is not the time to go it alone.”

He insisted there is “no alternative” to Nato when it comes to keeping Europe safe, and that “nothing can replace America’s nuclear umbrella, the ultimate guarantor of our security”.

European Union bureaucrats are also pushing for every household in the 27-nation bloc to prepare a war-survival kit.

The Black Sea ceasefire deal agreed on Tuesday reads like it was dictated by Russia, according to experts.

Military analysts told The Sun that it benefits Putin far more than Zelensky, who is trying to salvage a permanent peace deal for his war-torn nation.

After a marathon of negotiations, the White House confirmed it had got both sides to agree to halt strikes in the Black Sea region and on energy infrastructure.

Despite the apparent progress, Macron said Russia is still exhibiting a “desire for war”.

The warmongering superpower has set out demands for peace, which the White House said it would examine.

Macron continued: “Ukraine has clearly expressed to the United States its agreement to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, even though it is the victim of the aggression.

“We expect the same commitment from Russia.”

Zelensky said he expected “strong decisions” from Thursday’s meeting, which will include the likes of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Keir Starmer.

He said: “Now is definitely not the time to reduce pressure on Russia or weaken our unity for the sake of peace.”

The Ukrainian leader agreed that Russia is spinning out the peace process to prolong the war.

He said: “Russia wants this war to continue. It is dragging it out. We need to put pressure on Russia so that the war ends indeed.”

Macron is expecting 31 representatives around the table on Thursday morning at the presidential Elysee Palace.

Notably, Donald Trump will not be among them.

The US president has shown no enthusiasm for boots on the ground – European or American – to maintain peace.

Trump told Tucker Carlson the proposal for an EU army to be dispatched was “a combination of posture and a pose”, and also too “simplistic”.