Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky questioned if Vladimir Putinis even still alive, in an address to world leaders at Davos yesterday, January 19.
Discover our latest podcast
Speaking via video link to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Zelensky explained the difficulty in knowing who to speak to regarding potential peace talks as it is not clear who is making the decisions in Russiaand whether Putin is still alive.
Peace talks
Zelensky was responding to a question about how and when peace talks could begin when he made the comment in reference to Putin’s notable absence from key events recently, as per the Daily Express:
Right now I don’t understand who to talk to. I am not sure whether the president of Russia is still alive. I don’t understand that he’s still alive or that it is him particularly making decisions.
It is thought that he may not have meant that Putin may literally be dead but instead has been taking a back seat from events recently with the Russian leader not even turning up for the annual dip into Russia's freezing waters to mark Orthodox Epiphany this year. It is also a clear suggestion that people other than Putin are making decisions as his health deteriorates.
Cancelled events
There has been ongoing speculation about Putin’s health as he has withdrawn from many public facing events and even cancelled his beloved annual press conference at the end of last year, as well as his state address and several factory visits, as per the Daily Mail.
Read more:
⋙ Vladimir Putin accused of 'deceiving' his own soldiers: 'The command doesn't care about us'
⋙ Vladimir Putin: Report claims cancer drugs affecting his emotional state, he has 'disturbed psyche'
Some experts have suggested his lack of public appearances could be due to a fear for his safety. This claim has been reinforced by reports that he is using agents of the Russian secret service to act as civilians in staged photoshoots rather than actually engage with the public.
See also ⋙ Vladimir Putin visits injured Russian soldiers, rumours suggest they’re actors
At this year’s Davos summit, the war in Ukraine was a major subject of discussion with leaders rallying behind the country and a minute’s silence held for the victims who had lost their lives in the war. Zelensky also used the opportunity to urge allies to urgently send more weapons before new Russian offensives, as per the BBC:
The time the free world uses to think is used by the terrorist state to kill.
The remark is thought to be a reference to Germany dragging its feet over the delivery of its Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
Sources used:
- Daily Express 'Putin dead? Zelensky says he is 'not sure whether President of Russia is still alive''
-Daily Mail ''I don't know if Putin is still alive': Ukraine's President Zelensky suggests Vladimir is dead, as rumours swirl over Russian president's health'
- BBC 'Ukraine's president Zelensky addresses Davos forum after fatal helicopter crash'
