Vladimir Putin may not be seen in public for significant periods of time in the future due to his health, according to reports.
The Russian president became unwell after spending an hour and a half on a video chat with military officials, according to the General SVR Telegram channel.
‘His doctors advised him not to make any lengthy public appearances in the near future,’ the publication said.
‘The latest argument in favour of not speaking to the public was an incident after a recent one-and-a-half hour video-link meeting with representatives of the military bloc…
‘After the meeting Putin felt a sharp sickness, weakness and dizziness while trying to get up from the table.
‘The president needed urgent medical assistance.’
According to recent reports, Putin is suffering from blood cancer and requires round-the-clock medical attention.
The president’s health may have been worsening for the past five years, according to independent Russian media site Proekt.
Although the charges, which are based on inside intelligence, cannot be proved, video evidence of Putin’s odd behavior tends to suggest something isn’t quite right beneath the surface.
Recent photos show him looking emaciated or fat, and he’s been seen grasping the sides of tables to keep his hands from shaking.
Putin’s recent medical advise, according to General SVR, may explain why he abruptly canceled his annual ‘Direct Line’ live broadcast.
Since 2004, the Q&A show has allowed ‘regular’ Russians to ring in and ask questions to the president, generally in June.
However, it was immediately postponed with no new date set.
General SVR wrote: ‘The postponement of the live [Direct Line] with the president indefinitely is due to the unstable health of Vladimir Putin.
‘A week ago, the president was preparing to answer the questions of the Russian citizens in late June-early July.
‘Lately, the president has been getting tired much faster.
‘Perhaps if Putin’s health can be stabilised, the Direct Line will be held in August.
‘The Russian president’s indisposition has recently become increasingly difficult to conceal.’
Despite the reports, he was also seen at an event yesterday marking the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter the Great, a former emperor of Russia.
He admitted in front of an audience that Russians will have to wait a decade to live better after the invasion of Ukraine.
He was asked in front of young entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists: ‘So will we live better in 10 years’ time?’
He replied: ‘Yes, in the end this [reaching the goals I have set] will lead to a better life quality.’
Body language expert Judi James analysed the president’s behaviour during this appearance, telling The Mirror: ‘For a man who is usually immaculately dressed his pose has left his tie askew and his shirt seems to be gaping between the buttons.
‘At one point he appears aware of the way his belly is in one direction and his tie in another, pulling his tie back over the front of his shirt even though he seems perfectly comfortable with this sign of disruption.
‘This style of smugness combined with humour and a laid-back pose seems to suggest a man who finds irony or sarcasm in the current global state of tension and threat.’