Vladimir Putin chaired a high-level meeting today after appearing frail and unwell during talks in Belarus with President Alexander Lukashenko to discuss the war in Ukraine.
The 71-year-old Russian president was pictured leading a meeting with defense industry leaders in Korolyov, near Moscow.
This follows speculation about Putin’s declining health. Yesterday, he was seen shaking hands with Lukashenko in Minsk but looked frail as they discussed developments in the conflict across the southern border.
At today’s meeting, Putin praised defense CEOs for delivering weapons “on time, to the standard, and even ahead of schedule for a number of items,” according to the Kremlin.
He emphasized the importance of increasing production of high-tech military equipment, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare, and counter-battery systems.
During Friday’s meeting in the Belarusian capital, Putin questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussed domestic nuclear drills, and agreed on continued cooperation with Belarus.
However, he appeared tired and rundown at a subsequent press conference, as Ukraine claimed minor successes in the Kharkiv region.
Speculation about Putin’s health, mental state, and unstable position has been ongoing since before he ordered the invasion on February 24, 2022.
Footage from official meetings has shown Putin gripping tables for support, tapping his feet, and looking unsteady as he walked, with his appearance becoming more rounded and puffy over the years.
