Vladimir Putin’s health is being analysed by clinicians and his political career could be over, says the former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove.
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Speaking to GB News, the intelligence expert described how if the conflict in Ukraine keeps going so badly for Putin, his political career will be finished. The Russian leader is under much scrutiny for his behaviour amid constant rumours about his failing health with having noticeably avoided the limelight recently.
‘Clearly something wrong’
In his interview on the Camilla Tominey Show, Dearlove speculated about Putin’s health impacting his decision-making, as per The Daily Express:
There's clearly something wrong with him. Physically, I think. I'm not a clinician but I know there are clinicians analysing his movements.
There's something wrong with him and maybe that is affecting his political judgement as well.
See also: ⋙ Vladimir Putin's 'poor health' is making him 'depressed' and unable to make decisions, claims reports
Whilst Dearlove stated that this is a conflict that Putin ‘cannot afford to lose’, he added that the method of how he would be deposed is not so clear:
The mechanisms for getting rid of a leader in Russia are not clear. I think he's just in a very vulnerable situation.
‘China set on global domination’
During the interview, Dearlove spoke about security issues in general, with much focus on Russia and also China in the years ahead as global politics continues to be tumultuous.
Speaking about China, Dearlove claimed that:
China is set on a road to global domination by 2049. So the idea that they sit there in a sort of benign state believing in peaceful coexistence, it's rubbish.
Much of the destabilisation and the risk of escalation comes through cyber security issues, predominantly from China and Russia. Commenting on the danger Dearlove said:
We have the whole cyber issue because we are not in direct conflict. Our opponents and our enemies can make great trouble by attacking our cyber infrastructure.
The comments come as the brutal war in Ukraine continues and tensions between China and Taiwan escalate. However, yesterday, Monday, January 23, Taiwan's President, Tsai Ing-wen, tried to improve relations by writing to Pope Francis to say that ‘armed conflict was not an option’ and only by respecting Taiwan’s sovereignty can there be healthy ties with Beijing, as per Reuters.
Read more:
⋙ Henry Kissinger warns war between US and China would be a ‘threat to human survival’
⋙ ‘Major war’ may break out between these two countries in less than 5 years, here’s what we know
Sources used:
- The Daily Express 'Putin will be finished if he loses war as ex-MI6 boss gives warning over failing health'
-Reuters 'Taiwan president tells pope war with China not an option'
