What’s wrong with Vladimir Putin? The video of yesterday’s meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reignited speculation about the Kremlin chief’s health. In the video, which was broadcast on public television, Putin does not appear to be in the best of shape. Sunk in his chair, he almost seems to be “harpooning” the table with his right hand, as if seeking support. Even the posture of the body does not appear to be the most natural, while, as noted (among others) by Eamonn Butler, Director of the Adam Smith Institute, the face appears swollen. On social media, the video has raised many questions, even among journalists and authoritative commentators: Why does Putin appear to be “clinging” to the table? Someone speculated that the President of the Russian Federation wanted to hide a tremor, but at the moment there is nothing but speculation.
The rumors about Putin’s (alleged) illness
In recent months, rumors of an alleged illness affecting the Kremlin boss have been growing louder, but these are just rumours. As early as November 2020, political scientist Valery Solovei, a former professor at the Moscow Institute of International Relations, had stated that “Vladimir Vladimirovich” would “leave his post before the deadline due to serious health problems”. A disease that, according to press reports, had been identified in Parkinson’s. At the time, the Kremlin branded speculation as “rubbish.” According to another theory, apparently attributed to various intelligence agencies, Putin instead used steroids for a long time to treat cancer or a serious illness. A Russian newspaper that was banned last summer spoke of thyroid cancer, an indiscretion that Moscow categorically denies.
The Detail of the Hand: Why Talking About Illness is Risky
To date, therefore, many theories are circulating, while evidence is scarce. As for the face-to-face video between Putin and Shoigu, there are also elements that seem to contradict the alleged illness: someone points out that the Russian president actually has a habit of pointing his hands at the table during his meetings, although on other occasions – it must be said – the grip does not appear as tight as in the video with the secretary of defense.
Other users also point out that when it comes to sitting down at the table, Putin doesn’t get in trouble and moves quite smoothly. In short, in the light of what we know, it seems a bit risky to theorize a disease based on a few (and marginal) details.
Putin welcomes the liberation of Mariupol from Ukraine pic.twitter.com/biue2QjubP
– TheCitizenTz (@TheCitizenTz) April 21, 2022