BERNIE Ecclestone has performed a screeching U-turn after saying he would "take a bullet for Putin".

The ex-F1 supremo gloated that Mad Vlad was a "first class and sensible person" in a car crash interview with Good Morning Britain last month.

The 91-year-old billionaire also ridiculed hero Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "comedian" in a bizarre rant that showered the tyrant Putin in grim applause for his evil invasion of Ukraine.

But speaking to Sky Sports News on Saturday, the petrol head issued a grovelling apology and clarified his views on the war as he claimed it was "bothering" him how his comments had been perceived.

He said: "I think often people come out and say things or do things without really too much thinking. Probably I did the same.

"I can understand people thinking I'm defending what he's done in Ukraine, which I don't. I was brought up during the war, the last war, so I know what it's like.

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"So I feel sorry for the people in Ukraine having to suffer for something they haven't done. They've done nothing wrong. They didn't start anything. They want to get on with their lives."

He added: "They want the kids to go to school and try and go to work and earn a living to keep the family going.

"So they don't deserve to have to suffer. It's not good for anybody. I can't see anybody getting anything out of this and I think they should get together and get an agreement.

"And I'm sorry if anything I've said has upset anybody because it certainly wasn't intended."

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Despite his apology, Mr Ecclestone stopped short of criticising his bloodthirsty chum Putin, who he has been pictured embracing and smiling with.

Wading into Russia's war on Ukraine in an interview with Good Morning Britain, Ecclestone claimed his long-term pal is a "first class person" adding the brutal deaths of innocent Ukrainians were not "intentional".

Asked whether he still regards Putin as a friend, the 91-year-old bizarrely said: "I'd still take a bullet for him. I'd rather it didn't hurt, but if it does I'd still take a bullet, because he's a first-class person.

"What he's doing is something that he believed was the right thing he was doing for Russia. Unfortunately he is like a lot of business people, we make mistakes from time to time.

"When you make a mistake you have to do your best to get out of it.

"[The deaths of Ukrainians] wasn't intentional. Look at Americans moving into countries that have nothing to do with America."

Appearing against a sunny backdrop in Ibiza, Eccelstone even took a swipe at Zelensky , saying: "I mean, the other person in Ukraine, I mean his profession I understand, he used to be a comedian…

The comments made by Bernie Ecclestone are his personal views and are in very stark contrast to position of the modern values of our sport

"And it seems he wants to continue that profession because I think if he had thought about things and made a big enough effort to speak to Mr Putin…

"Who is a sensible person and would have listened to him and could have probably done something about it."

The controversial ex-F1 boss also claimed the war was not "intentional", adding: "I'm quite sure if Ukraine wanted to get out of it properly then they could have done."

And he said he hadn't spoken to Putin about the war, saying; "He's probably thought about that himself."

Hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard were stunned into silence by the controversial comments.

Shocked Kate eventually said: "Crikey."

After the interview, the F1 released a statement, saying: F1: “The comments made by Bernie Ecclestone are his personal views and are in very stark contrast to position of the modern values of our sport.”

He later told Piers Morgan he stood by his war criminal mate Putin, and went even further in his TalkTV interview.

He told Piers: "I stand behind him. As far as I'm concerned he's a good guy."

I’ll take a bullet for somebody and stand behind him for what it was

He later added: "I’ll take a bullet for somebody and stand behind him for what it was.

"I generally don’t know what he had in mind. I hope he also didn’t have in mind what’s actually happened. And I’ll be surprised if he did."

And he told Piers he was a "little disappointed" in Putin's actions, adding: "But, what was the alternative? Either he pulls out or the other people surrender?"

Piers hit back: "Well, the alternative is you don’t invade sovereign countries illegally and kill everybody.

"And to say you’re 'a little disappointed' by a murderous, genocidal rampage.

"Again, your use of language Bernie is extraordinary, 'a little disappointed' that he’s murdering innocent people every single day all day long?"

BLOODSHED

He made the brazen comments just days after Russian forces murdered at least 18 people with a missile strike on a packed shopping centre.

It has now been more than 120 days since Russia invaded Ukraine – with Putin's soldiers participating in vicious atrocities including torture, rape and massacres.

Moscow has been accused by the West of committing widespread war crimes – something Putin denies – as at least 12,000 civilians including men, women and children are estimated to have been killed.

The conflict has seen Russia become an pariah state cut off from much of the rest of the world – and seen a new Iron Curtain descend as Western nations back Ukraine.

And meanwhile Ukraine's leader Zelensky has become an international hero hailed for his resolve – even addressing the crowd at Glastonbury.

A number of Russian athletes have been affected since their country's illegal invasion of Ukraine in February – including F1's Nikita Mazepin.

The driver was ditched by Haas following the outbreak of war, having finished dead last in the driver standings last season.

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Ecclestone is uncomfortable with the situation, which has also seen Russian and Belarusians banned from Wimbledon, adding: "I think it's wrong to stop Russian athletes, including drivers from taking part in their sport.

"They didn't get involved in this in the first place so they shouldn't be punished."

Ecclestone went on to claim that the situation "absolutely" could have been avoided if Ukraine had "spoken with Putin".

Asked if he was concerned about a potential backlash after aligning himself with Putin, he added: "Not at all. He's a person that's in business and made a mistake and wished he hadn't made it.

"After things have happened it's a bit too late. It could have been stopped very, very easy.

Bernie Ecclestone is a moron

"Our friend in Ukraine [President Zelensky] could have stopped it easier couldn't he. The best thing to have done would have spoken with Putin."

Ecclestone has been slated online for his comments.

Former England striker Chris Sutton wrote: "Bernie Ecclestone is a moron."

While one viewer commented: "Bernie Ecclestone embarrassing himself live on tele."

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Another tweeted: "What an absolute shambles this is from Bernie Ecclestone. Flaming heck. What a small minded idiot."

A further viewer fumed: "Bernie Ecclestone was the most infuriating, embarrassing, cringeworthy interview I’ve seen. How was the fool allowed airtime?"

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