Russian President Vladimir Putin is in good health, Kremlin spokesman said today, dismissing speculation about his condition.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters there had been speculation in the West about the president's health in recent months, but reports that he was ill were "nothing but false."
Putin coughed during a public appearance yesterday, with the Interfax news agency reporting that he said he had a slight cold from visiting Iran the day before.
“It was very hot in Tehran yesterday, over 38 (degrees Celsius) and the air conditioning was very strong there. So, I apologize," the 69-year-old Putin said, according to the agency.
In recent months, attention has increasingly focused on his state of health, including when he was photographed meeting with foreign and Russian officials while he and those present sat at either end of a large table as a precaution against COVID. At times he has appeared to walk with difficulty.
CIA director William Burns was asked about the issue at a security forum in the US yesterday, where he said Putin is "absolutely sane".
Source: RES-EAP