Vladimir Putin “doesn’t have too much time” left, Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed.
The Ukrainian president made the remarks as his 73-year-old Russian counterpart had mysteriously vanished from public view for more than a week. In recent days, Russian state media is believed to have aired pre-recorded footage of the Kremlin leader meeting officials.
It remains unclear whether Putin’s apparent absence is due to health issues or other reasons, but Zelensky told Politico at the Munich Security Conference: “I’m younger than Putin…”
When the audience laughed, the 48-year-old Ukrainian leader said: “No, no, believe me this is important. He doesn’t have too much time, you know. Not too much time. He has, God bless, not too much time.”
Putin has not been seen publicly since a speech on February 5, although it is unclear what Zelensky was alluding to. The Russian leader rarely takes holidays but disappears from view several times a year without explanation, with some televised meetings later suggested to have been pre-recorded.
Such absences have fuelled speculation that Putin may be undergoing medical treatment. However, in recent appearances he has looked energetic and maintained a busy schedule, despite unproven rumours about his health.
