The spokesman for President Vladimir Putin has dismissed allegations that the belligerent leader is near death, saying that he is in excellent physical condition and actively participates in sports.
After NBC News’ Keir Simmons referred to recent recordings showing the president limping, shaking, and holding a table, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the claims.
He said that Putin talked and answered questions for more than three hours on Friday, saying, “What I suggest is that you watch his performance.”
Peskov even grinned as he stated, “Actually, he played hockey yesterday in the afternoon.”
The persistent reports that Putin had cancer, Parkinson’s illness, or early-stage dementia have haunted him for months.
Even when he missed a yearly game in May and was spotted with a blotchy complexion, suspicion was sparked in part by his passion for hockey.
According to Russian investigative site the Project, Putin is rumored to take blood baths in deer antlers that have been chopped off while still developing and full of fresh blood.
The Kremlin has often refuted the claims, and Peskov’s conversation was simply the most recent instance.
