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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 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. |
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/OVlolpIdmn | Судя 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.” |
Встреча Путина и Атамбаева началась pic.twitter.com/Fv9mLwy9dw | Встреча 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 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 |