Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has criticized Greta Thunberg, the famous teen environmentalist, for her famous UN Speech and claimed that the girl is being used.

The president of Russia made the comments after the 16-year-old girl gave a speech at the United Nations last week.

Putin also criticized the leaders of the free world over their lack of action in the fight against climate change.

At the United Nations conference last month, Greta made a speech in which she said, “This is all wrong. I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.”

Putin criticized Greta at an energy conference called Energy Partnership for Sustainable Growth in Moscow, where the Russian President said the 16-year-old girl should go and explain to the developing countries why they should continue to live in poverty.

President 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.”

He added, “Go and explain to developing countries why they should continue living in poverty and not be like Sweden.”

Putin also said that someone is using young children for their personal interests.

During the conference, he said, “But 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.”

Vladimir Putin is not the first leader who has criticized the actions of Greta.

Donald Trump, the president of the United States of America, and Maxime Bernier, a member of the Canadian Parliament, have done the same thing.

Maxime said Greta was mentally unstable and is an alarmist.

In one year, Greta has become an iconic figure in the fight against climate change.

Thousands of people are protesting around the world, after being inspired by her actions.