Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sensationally claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin “will die soon,” fueling longstanding speculation about the 72-year-old leader’s health.
Zelenskyy made the remarks during an interview with Eurovision News in Paris on Wednesday, where he also urged the United States not to ease Russia’s global isolation amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
"He will die soon, that is a fact, and everything will be over," Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by The Kyiv Independent, though he did not provide any evidence to support his assertion.
Persistent health rumours
Putin’s health has been the subject of intense scrutiny, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Speculation has ranged from allegations of cancer and Parkinson’s disease to reports of frequent medical treatment. The Kremlin has consistently dismissed such claims as baseless.
In October last year, the Russian leader was seen with what appeared to be intravenous (IV) track marks on his hands while meeting with soldiers, triggering fresh rumors about possible cancer treatment. Additionally, photographs have shown Putin with red eyes and an unexplained bruise on his hand, while a prominent scar on his neck led to conjecture about thyroid surgery.
Some reports, including a U.S. intelligence leak, have suggested that Putin was undergoing chemotherapy, though no conclusive proof has emerged. Analysts have also pointed to his physical movements, citing instances where he appeared unsteady, gripping a table during meetings or displaying involuntary leg twitching, as potential indicators of declining health.
Moscow dismisses claims
Despite repeated assertions about Putin’s frail condition, the Kremlin has steadfastly denied any health concerns. Last year, state news agency TASS insisted that Putin “has no health problems,” clarifying that his visits to Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital were routine check-ups.
His spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has also refuted claims of severe illness, calling them “Western propaganda.” In November 2023, the Kremlin dismissed footage showing Putin’s legs twitching uncontrollably at a public event in Kazakhstan, insisting that such speculation was unfounded.
Geopolitical implications
Zelenskyy’s latest remarks come at a critical juncture, as Russia and Ukraine recently reached an agreement on a ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure and hostilities in the Black Sea.
The talks, facilitated by U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, have also seen discussions on expanding Russia’s access to global markets—an issue that Zelenskyy warned against.
"It is very important that America does not help Putin get out of this global isolation now," the Ukrainian president said. "I believe that this is dangerous. This is one of the most dangerous moments."
Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, speculation over Putin’s health remains a key talking point, with analysts divided over whether his perceived physical decline could influence Russia’s political landscape. For now, however, Moscow maintains that its leader remains in control.
