The Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Lavrov, on Sunday has denied speculation that President Vladimir Putin was ill, saying that there were no signs pointing to any ailment.
Putin’s health and private life are taboo subjects in Russia, and are almost never discussed in public.
According to the reports, Russia’s top diplomat said, “I do not think that sane people can see signs of some kind of illness or ailments in this person.”
Lavrov said that Putin, who will turn 70 in October, appeared in public “every day.”
Lavrov mentioned in remarks released by the Russian foreign ministry, “You can watch him on screens, read and listen to his speeches.”
“I leave it to the conscience of those who spread such rumours.”
Putin, who has been in power in Russia for more than two decades, sent army to Ukraine on February 24, sending shock waves around the world.
Moscow’s offensive has resulted in killing thousands of people, sparked the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II and led to unprecedented Western sanctions against Moscow.