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Vladimir Putin missing: Russian President appears in public for first time in 11 days Vladimir Putin missing: Russian President appears in public for first time in 10 days
(35 minutes later)
Vladimir Putin has appeared in public for the first time in 11 days to meet with the President of Kyrgyzstan. Vladimir Putin has appeared in public for the first time in 10 days to meet with the President of Kyrgyzstan.
The meeting between the Russian President and Almazbek Atambayev in the Constantine Palace, near St Petersburg, follows more than a week of intense speculation over Putin's sudden disappearance from the public eye.The meeting between the Russian President and Almazbek Atambayev in the Constantine Palace, near St Petersburg, follows more than a week of intense speculation over Putin's sudden disappearance from the public eye.
“Judging by the Atambayev’s expression, Putin's handshake is strong,” a Russian reporter at the scene quipped on Twitter. A smiling Mr Putin did not address the issue while answering questions from reporters summoned for the occasion, saying only: "It would be boring without gossip."
Судя по лицу Атамбаева, рукопожатие и Путина крепкое pic.twitter.com/OVlolpIdmnСудя по лицу Атамбаева, рукопожатие и Путина крепкое pic.twitter.com/OVlolpIdmn
President Atambayev addressed the assembled media before the start of the meeting, confirming the Russian leader's good health and claiming he was in "great shape".
He said Mr Putin "just now drove me around the grounds, he himself sat at the wheel".
“Judging by the Atambayev’s expression, Putin's handshake is strong,” a Russian reporter at the scene quipped on Twitter.
Denying rumours of illness last week, Mr Putin’s official spokesperson said his handshake “can break a hand.”Denying rumours of illness last week, Mr Putin’s official spokesperson said his handshake “can break a hand.”
President Atambayev reportedly addressed the assembled media before the start of the meeting confirming the Russian leader's good health and claiming he was in "great shape".
Rumours that Mr Putin was dead have been struck off the list but there has not yet been any formal explanation of his whereabouts.
Встреча Путина и Атамбаева началась pic.twitter.com/Fv9mLwy9dwВстреча Путина и Атамбаева началась pic.twitter.com/Fv9mLwy9dw
Rumours that Mr Putin was dead have been struck off the list but there has not yet been any formal explanation of his whereabouts.
After a string of high-profile engagements were cancelled last week, many reports pointed to illness, which could have been kept secret by Mr Putin’s spokesperson to protect his macho image.After a string of high-profile engagements were cancelled last week, many reports pointed to illness, which could have been kept secret by Mr Putin’s spokesperson to protect his macho image.
The Kremlin has denied claims that his alleged girlfriend, former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, had given birth to their child in Switzerland.The Kremlin has denied claims that his alleged girlfriend, former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, had given birth to their child in Switzerland.
Other theories pointed to an alleged secret service coup and covert plastic surgery, possibly a face lift for the President, who looks surprisingly youthful at 62. Other theories suggested an alleged secret service coup or covert plastic surgery, possibly a facelift for the President, who looks surprisingly youthful at 62.
A statement from the Kremlin said that today’s meeting with Mr Atambayev would discuss “continued steps to develop bilateral co-operation, particularly trade and investment ties, cultural and humanitarian contacts, and relations in the energy sector”.A statement from the Kremlin said that today’s meeting with Mr Atambayev would discuss “continued steps to develop bilateral co-operation, particularly trade and investment ties, cultural and humanitarian contacts, and relations in the energy sector”.
Mr Putin and the Kyrgyz leader were also due to discuss the former Soviet nation’s accession to EU rival the Eurasian Economic Union.Mr Putin and the Kyrgyz leader were also due to discuss the former Soviet nation’s accession to EU rival the Eurasian Economic Union.
The Russian President was last seen in public on March, when he hosted Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Additional reporting by agencies