Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s President, joked that he doesn’t drink as much as Winston Churchill as he appeared to brush off comparisons with the wartime leader.

Mr Zelensky, speaking from a bunker in an undisclosed location, was asked what he thought about media reports likening him to the former British prime minister.

“People are comparing you to Churchill,” Richard Engel, a veteran correspondent for NBC news, told the president.

Mr Zelensky, appearing tired and wearing a khaki-coloured t-shirt and sweater, shrugged before replying: “I think Churchill drank a little more than me.”

The 44-year-old former actor and comedian has refused calls from allies to flee the capital of Kyiv as it came under attack from Russian strikes, instead choosing to stay and fight.

In the past week, Mr Zelensky has risen to the moment, rallying Ukrainians to defend their nation, inspiring them to toss petrol bombs at Russian military vehicles and even stand in the way of tanks.