Former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has defended Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, insisting he would “take a bullet” for the Russian leader.
Speaking to ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” on Thursday morning, Mr Ecclestone described Putin as a “reasonable” and “first-class” man who “believes he is doing the right thing for Russia”.
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“Unfortunately, he’s like a lot of businessmen, certainly like me, that we make mistakes from time to time, and when you make a mistake, you have to do everything you can to get out of it,” he said.
And he criticized Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky for not making enough effort to reach his Russian rival.
Mr Ecclestone said: “The other person in Ukraine, his profession, which I understand, was a comedian and I think he seems to want to continue this profession, because I think if he had thought about things, he would definitely have made a big enough effort. to talk to Mr Putin, who is a sensible person and would listen to him and could probably do something about it. “
When it was pointed out that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people, Mr Ecclestone simply replied: “It was not intentional.”
Asked if he suggested that President Zelensky should have “done more to prevent the war – and that it could have been avoided through Zelensky’s actions, not through a change in Putin’s actions”, the car tycoon said: “Absolutely “.
“I am absolutely sure that Ukraine, if they wanted to get out of this properly, could do it,” he added.
Mr Ecclestone said he had not spoken to his “friend” since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
But he said, “I’m absolutely sure he doesn’t want to start this whole business now – but it didn’t start as a war.”
He also criticized the ban on Russian athletes in response to Moscow’s military intervention.
Asked whether the Russian Grand Prix should be removed from the Formula One calendar and the ban on Russian drivers, Mr Ecclestone said: “I am not in a position to do anything about it now.
“I’m not sure I would stop this and I certainly wouldn’t now, and I think it’s wrong to stop Russian athletes, including obviously drivers, from participating in their sport.
“They didn’t get involved in the first place. They shouldn’t be punished.”
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