Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Vladimir Putin ‘will die soon’ amid rumours that the Russian leader is battling poor health.
Did Zelensky Say Putin Will Die Soon?
He said this during a sit-down interview with journalists in Paris following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday.
He said: ‘He (Putin) will die soon, and that’s a fact, and it will come to an end.’
Despite his attempts to project an image of alpha male, 72-year-old Putin has long faced rumours that he suffers from health issues.
Putin’s Health Concerns
In recent years, he has appeared to have a puffy face, a twitching leg and blood-shot eyes only fuelling the speculation further.
One particular famous incident in 2022 saw the president slouching in his chair while gripping a table and slurring his words during a meeting with then-Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
There have also been reports of him coughing incessantly, and his hands and feet making seemingly involuntary jerky movements.
On several occasions, he appeared to walk with a limp.
There have also been claims that he might have cancer and Parkinson’s Disease.
During last night’s interview Zelensky also claimed that Putin is trying ‘hit the European Union from within’ in reference to more Russian friendly members of the bloc such as Hungary.
Macron Supports Ukraine
Macron, alongside Zelensky, will welcome European leaders today to agree what security guarantees Europe can offer Ukraine once a ceasefire deal is reached in the more than three-year-old war.
Speaking alongside Zelensky in Paris, Macron said this was now a ‘decisive phase to put an end to the war of aggression’ waged by Russia against Ukraine, as the United States under Donald Trump reaches out to Moscow in search of a deal.
Macron also announced a new French two-billion-euro ($2.2-billion) military aid package for Ukraine, with Paris ready to rapidly ship existing hardware from its stocks.
