Russian President Putin Holds His End Of The Year Press Conference

 

 RT: Russian economy, sanctions & Ukraine conflict: Key takeaways from Putin’s marathon press conference 

Over two million questions were submitted to the head of state for his ‘Results of the Year’ event 

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on key international issues during a marathon Q&A on Thursday. Topics ranged from the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts to Moscow’s relations with the US and its allies, as well as the transformation of the global economy amid unprecedented sanctions imposed by the West on Russia. 

The president hosted his annual press conference, during which both Russian and foreign journalists, as well as members of the general public, were able to ask him questions directly. 

The ‘The Results of the Year’ event, which was broadcast live on TV, lasted more than four hours. Here are the key takeaways.  

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More News On Russian President Putin's End Of The Year Press Conference From The Russian Media  

LIVE UPDATES: Putin speaks: the Russian president’s most important annual event RT -- RT  

As It Happened: Putin's End-of-Year Press Conference -- Moscow Times 

Putin calls conflict with Ukraine similar to civil war between brothers -- TASS  

Russia-Ukraine conflict is a ‘civil war’ – Putin -- RT  

Goal of denazifying Ukraine remains in place — Putin -- TASS  

Kiev sends its soldiers to die – Putin -- RT 'Catastrophe': Putin on situation in Gaza Strip -- TASS 

Putin compares Ukraine and Gaza conflicts -- RT  

Russia ready to resume dialogue with US, but groundwork needed first — Putin -- TASS  

US ‘most likely’ blew up Nord Stream – Putin -- RT  

You Look for the Person Who Will Benefit: ‘Obvious’ US Blew Up Nord Stream -- Sputnik  

Putin views Russia-China relations as guarantor of global stability -- TASS  

Russia Ready to Open Hospital in Gaza, Israel Says It's Yet Unsafe - Putin -- TASS  

West ‘shooting itself in the foot’ with sanctions – Putin -- RT  

Russian GDP expected to grow by 3.5% by year-end — Putin -- TASS  

Putin sees bleak future for Olympic movement -- RT  

Putin sounds alarm on rising Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Russophobia around world -- TASS  

Putin answers question from ‘body double’ -- RT 

Russian President Putin Holds His End Of The Year Press Conference 

Putin press conference: Ukraine, the West and the Russian economy -- Reuters  

Putin is defiant and buoyant during marathon call-in and news conference -- CNBC  

Putin, eyeing reelection, holds annual news conference, call-in show -- Washington Post  

Putin says he hopes for swaps for detained Americans -- DW 

Putin: "Dialogue" is underway to free wrongfully detained Americans -- Axios  

Inside Putin's carefully choreographed annual news conference -- BBC

Russian President Putin's Speech And Q&A At The SPIEF 2023 Plenary Session (Video)

 

WNU Editor: Here are the highlights of President Putin's speech .... Highlights from Putin’s policy speech at SPIEF (RT). 

Live updates are here .... LIVE UPDATES: St Petersburg International Economic Forum (Sputnik).

Russian President Putin's Secret Black Sea Bunker

Two entrances to the underground tunnel complex are visible on the hillside beneath Putin's palace. aerial photo by FBK; Insider 

Insider: Revealed: Vladimir Putin's secret Black Sea bunker 

You would think that the architechts who designed Vladimir Putin's palace thought of everything. 

After all, the 190,000-square-foot, billion-dollar complex, perched on a rugged bluff overlooking the Black Sea, has every luxury that an autocrat could possibly desire. As revealed by Alexei Navalny's investigation, the palace has its own church, wine cellar, and casino. It has a hookah lounge complete with a stripper pole, an arboretum, and an ice rink for the hockey games Putin likes to play with cronies. But good luck ordering takeout — security is tight. Putin's imperial dacha is sealed off from the country he rules by 17,000 acres of woodland and a special no-fly zone. 

The precautions are more than paranoia on Putin's part. Earlier this month, Russian authorities claimed that two drones had attempted to assassinate Putin in a failed strike that ended in an explosion above the Kremlin.  

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WNU Editor: I do not think Putin has ever visited this site.

Will Russian President Putin Retire In 2023?

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates security services officers and veterans on Security Agency Worker's Day, via video link at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, in this picture released on December 20, 2022. (photo credit: SPUTNIK/MIKHAIL METZEL/POOL VIA REUTERS) 

Jerusalem Post: Russia's Vladimir Putin afraid of coup, will retire in 2023 - report 

A former ally of the Russian President talked about the possibility that Putin might retire soon, rather then potentially getting killed in a coup. 

A source who was close to Putin once claimed that "the president will nominate his chosen heir already this year, instead of risking his downfall," the British Daily Mail reported on Friday. This comes after the Russian president's popularity is reportedly in a freefall because of repeated military failures in the war in Ukraine. 

According to his former ally, Putin will want to transfer the power to his chosen successor and retire to his palace near the black sea, rather than risk a coup against him, similar to what happened to Qaddafi and other dictators. Furthermore, he claimed Putin will seek to give up power, negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine and also not be part of the elections which are planned for 2024.  

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WNU Editor: If he has a disease that will make it difficult if not impossible for him to govern, I doubt that Putin will retire in 2023. 

As for his future replacement. It was telling that a few weeks ago former Russian President Dimitry Medvedev went to Beijing to deliver a personal note from Putin to President Xi, and President Xi choose to meet Medvedev. As a rule President Xi only meets other "Heads of State", it is very rare that he meets a representative of another government. This was a signal to me that Beijing is expecting Medvedev to replace Putin in the future. 

Another sign that former Russian President Dimitry Medvedev is positioning himself for the top job. He is now the senior Kremlin official in charge of Russia's war industry/economy. this means he has the final say on who gets the tens (if not hundreds) of billions in contracts to fuel Russia's war machine. If you want to build a base of support, what better position to have if want to reward and buy a lot of support.

Kremlin 'Insider' Says ‘Critically ill’ Putin Plagued With Cancer Fell Down Stairs And ‘Soiled Himself’

Vladimir Putin tour a Moscow lab on Thursday, one day after suffering a fall at his home via REUTERS  

NYPost: Putin fell down stairs, soiled himself as speculation over worsening health grows: report  

Russian President Vladimir Putin fell down the stairs and soiled himself this week amid mounting speculation that his health is declining, an anti-Kremlin Telegram channel with apparent links to his security team reported. 

Putin, 70, suffered the unfortunate fall at his Moscow official residence on Wednesday evening, according to the Telegram channel “General SVR,” which purports to be run by a former Russian spy. 

The ailing Russian leader allegedly fell down five steps before landing on his coccyx, or tailbone.  Although his security guards immediately rushed to his aid, the impact of the fall caused Putin to “involuntarily defecate” due to “cancer affecting his stomach and bowels,” according to the channel. 

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Update: ‘Critically ill’ Putin falls down stairs and ‘soils himself’ while plagued with cancer, claims Kremlin ‘insider’ (The SUN)  

WNU Editor: I have lost count over the years on how many reports I have read that Putin is sick. Putin is dying. Putin has incurable diseases. Etc.. 

I an sure Russian President Putin is going to die one day. But he looked good yesterday (see above picture from Reuters).

Russian President Putin's Speech And Discussion At The 18th Annual Meeting Of The Valdai International Discussion Club (Western News Media Coverage)

Russia's President Putin takes part in Valdai discussion club meeting © Reuters/SPUTNIK  

Reuters: Putin blasts West, says world faces most dangerous decade since WW2 

LONDON (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the world faced the most dangerous decade since World War Two as Western elites scrambled to prevent the inevitable crumbling of the global dominance of the United States and its allies. 

In one of his longest public appearances since he sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, Putin signaled he had no regrets about what he calls "a special operation" and accused the West of inciting the war and of playing a "dangerous, bloody and dirty" game that was sowing chaos across the world.

Read more .... 

Russian President Putin's Speech And Discussion At The 18th Annual Meeting Of The Valdai International Discussion Club (Western News Media Coverage)  

World faces most dangerous decade since WW2 - Putin -- BBC News  

Putin Says Decade Ahead 'Most Dangerous' Since WWII -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Russia’s Putin says he won’t use nuclear weapons in Ukraine -- AP  

Vladimir Putin says ‘dirty bomb’ claims to Nato were made on his orders -- The Guardian

Putin: "It doesn't make sense" to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine -- Axios  

Russia’s Putin rules out using nuclear weapons in Ukraine -- Politico 

 Putin jabs at West over Ukraine war, says operation going to plan -- Reuters 

Putin: Russia Battling 'Western Domination' As Ukraine War Grinds On -- Barrons 

Ukraine war: Putin slams the West as 'dangerous, bloody and dirty' -- Euronews  

Putin accuses Western elites of playing ‘dangerous, bloody and dirty game’ -- CNN  

Putin Claims Ukraine Is 'Testing Site' for 'Biological Experiments' -- Epoch Times

Putin demands U.S. respect 'multipolar' world and tell Ukraine to seek peace -- Washington Post 

 Putin says West uses sanctions to hold back rivals -- Reuters 

 Putin says Russia is not enemy of West -- Anadolu Agency 

Putin says Western claims Russia behind Nord Stream explosions are 'crazy' -- Reuters  

Putin ally says Taiwan will be 'returned' to China -- FOX News  

Putin says United States wrong to destroy relations with China -- Reuters

Russian President Putin's Speech And Discussion At The 18th Annual Meeting Of The Valdai International Discussion Club (Russian News Media Coverage)

 

RT: ‘No one can sit out the coming storm’: Putin’s milestone Valdai speech 

Western hegemony should be replaced with an actual order respectful of all, the Russian leader said 

The world is entering a decade of tumult as the pursuit of a more just world order clashes with the arbitrary hegemony of the collective West, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, addressing the annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club. 

Putin’s speech ranged from biodiversity to “cancel culture,” the nature of what the West has to offer and Russia’s response, followed by hours of answering audience questions. Here are six key points from his opening remarks.  

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WNU Editor: Russian President Putin appears at the 1:16:23 mark in the above video. 

The news summary below is from Russian news sources. My next post will be Western media news coverage of President Putin's appearance at the Valdai Internatiional Discussion Club.

Russian President Putin's Speech And Discussion At The 18th Annual Meeting Of The Valdai International Discussion Club (Russian News Media Coverage)  

Russia could not leave Donbass to its own devices, Putin says -- TASS  

Conflict between Russia and Ukraine a ‘civil war’ of sorts – Putin -- RT

Putin dismisses view enemy was underestimated in Ukraine -- TASS 

Events in Ukraine a part of ‘tectonic changes’ in world order — Putin -- TASS  

Putin warns West "he who sows the wind will reap the whirlwind" -- TASS  

Putin reacts to question about nuclear apocalypse -- RT  

Most dangerous and important decade since WWII lies ahead, Putin says -- TASS  

Suggested ‘rule-based order’ leads to life without rules at all — Putin -- TASS  

West’s current foreign economic policy ‘enslaving’ — Putin -- TASS 

The US has nothing left to offer the world – Putin -- RT  

West's Policy Toward Other Countries 'Dirty, Bloody,' Denies Nations Right to Sovereignty: Putin -- Sputnik  

Vast majority of countries against diktat of certain states — Putin -- TASS  

Putin calls for ‘dialogue on equal terms’ with the West -- RT  

West distorted dollar by 'pocketing' Russia's reserves — Putin -- TASS  

US discredited dollar by weaponizing it – Putin -- RT  

Russia has many friends, no need to push agenda on anyone — Putin -- TASS  

Russia is not an enemy of the West – Putin -- RT  

Russia does not consider itself an enemy of the West — Putin -- TASS  

Russia does not challenge Western elites or pursue hegemony — Putin -- TASS  

Russian President Putin says may attend G20 Summit in Indonesia next month -- TASS  

Destruction of Nord Stream gas pipelines beyond all reason — Putin -- TASS 

Russia passed the peak of economic difficulties related to sanctions — Putin -- TASS 

No need for nationalization in Russia, Putin says -- TASS  

Putin comments on ‘grandma’ Pelosi visiting Taiwan -- RT  

Putin sees traditional societies as bedrock of global civilization -- TASS  

West should not impose its new-fangled trends of ‘dozens of genders’ — Putin -- TASS

Russian President Putin Says A Fundamental And Irreversible Breakdown Of The American-Led Liberal Order Is Well Under Way

Putin says the West already lost its confrontation with Russia, and now a fundamental and irreversible breakdown of the American-led liberal order is well under way. pic.twitter.com/OBFGh01SYc

— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZmilitary1) July 12, 2022

WNU Editor: Putin is right that the U.S./Western "world order" is now transitioning to a "multi-polar" world. But it is going to take far longer than what Putin, China's Xi, and others are hoping it will take. I give it a decade or two.

Russian President Putin Is Going To Be A Father Again

It is claimed Putin and Kabaeva already have to children togetherCredit: kremlin.ru  

Daily Mail: Vladimir Putin is 'expecting a daughter' with ex-gymnast 'lover' Alina Kabaeva despite the Russian President claiming he 'has enough children as it is', new report claims 

* Vladimir Putin 'expecting a daughter' with his ex-gymnast 'lover' Alina Kabaeva 

* 69-year-old Kremlin leader believed to have two secret sons with the gymnast 

* He is known to share two daughters, born in the 80s, with his ex-wife of 30 years 

* Report claims Putin grumbled 'I have enough children as it is' when told of news 

Vladimir Putin is 'expecting a daughter' with his ex-gymnast 'lover' Alina Kabaeva despite the Russian President claiming he 'has enough children as it is', according to a new report. 

The 69-year-old Kremlin leader is believed to already have two secret sons with the Olympic gold-winning rhythmic gymnast, once dubbed 'the most flexible woman in Russia'.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Putin reportedly not happy ex-gymnast lover Alina Kabaeva is pregnant with another daughter (NYPost)  

Update #2: Vladimir Putin, 69, ‘will have DAUGHTER with ex-gymnast lover despite grumbling “I have enough kids”‘ (The SUN)  

WNU Editor: For someone who is suppose to be experiencing serious and debilitating health issues, you have to wonder how it can still do it. This (according to the Express) will be his 8th child .... Putin to have 'eighth child' with ex-gymnast lover, insiders claim (Express).

Mystery Surrounds Russian President Putin's Motorcade Seen Rushing Towards The Kremlin Late Last Night

 

Daily Mail: Putin's blue-light dash to the Kremlin: Police convoy races Russian leader to mystery late-night meeting in Moscow seat of power after agreeing to share nuclear-capable missiles with Lukashenko 

* Putin made unusual late night dash to Kremlin in cavalcade of sirens yesterday 

* There are suspicions he has prepared a new televised statement on the war 

* Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov denied this and said 'everything is normal' 

* The dash came directly after a meeting with Belarus president Lukashenko 

* A few hours later Russian bombers launched missiles at Ukraine from Belarus 

Mystery surrounds a late night dash to the Kremlin by Vladimir Putin amid suspicions he has prepared a new televised statement on the war in Ukraine and tensions with the West. 

Video shows his Aurus limousine in a late night dash to his Moscow seat of power at 23:00 on Saturday night. 

His Kremlin visit immediately followed talks with Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko in St Petersburg, 440 miles away, in which he agreed to supply advanced nuclear-capable arms to the Minsk dictator.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Putin Speculation Sparked by Dramatic Kremlin Video (Newsweek) 

Update #2: Putin Rushes to Kremlin to Attend Mystery Late-Night Meeting and Hasn't Left Since; Fresh Tensions Brew [WATCH] (IBtimes)  

WNU Editor: This is not unusual. Putin is known to be someone who works late at night. Sometimes leaving the Kremlin at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning.

Russian President Putin Says Ukraine Invasion Was ‘Forced On Us’ In St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Speech That Was Delayed By A Cyberattack

 

Daily Mail: Putin says US acts like it's God's messenger on Earth with its 'sacred interests' and accuses them of treating countries like 'colonies' in speech slamming oligarchs who want to turn on him, 'stupid' Western sanctions and brushing off cyber attacks 

* Vladimir Putin today accused the US of treating states like 'colonies' in address 

* Russian tyrant said 'nothing will be as it used to be' in speech at 'Russia's Davos' 

* The address was delayed more than 90 minutes following 'massive' cyber attack 

* Russia's flagship economic forum kicked off on Wednesday. 

Attendees include representatives of the Taliban and separatist authorities from eastern Ukraine Russian president Vladimir Putin today accused the US of playing God and treating countries like 'colonies' as he brushed off the impact of sanctions in a speech to an economic forum dubbed 'Russia's Davos'. 

Amid a lengthy denunciation of the US and its allies, Putin, 69, warned 'nothing will be as it used to be' as he delivered the St Petersburg Economic Forum address more than 90 minutes later than expected after the event suffered a cyber attack.  

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Russian President Putin Delivers St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Speech  

Unipolar world order gone forever, Putin says -- TASS  

Putin: Era of Unipolar World Has Ended Despite Attempts To Preserve it at Any Cost -- Sputnik  

Previous world order won't return – Putin -- RT  

EU and US to blame in case of world famine – Putin -- RT  

US sees itself as messenger of God on Earth without responsibility — Putin -- TASS  

Operation in Ukraine stems from Russia’s right to self-defense — Putin -- TASS  

Russian president predicts 'change of elites' in West -- RT  

Putin urges big business representatives to link their families' future with Russia -- TASS 

Russia’s Putin lashes out over Western sanctions ‘blitzkrieg,’ claims Ukraine invasion was forced -- CNBC 

Putin lambasts the West and declares the end of ‘the era of the unipolar world’ -- CNN  

Combative Putin dismisses 'stupid' Western sanctions 'blitzkrieg' -- Reuters  

Russia: Putin defends war, calls for investment during St. Petersburg address -- DW  

US acts as if it is 'sent by God to Earth' says Putin as he condemns 'stupid' sanctions -- SKY News 

Putin attacks 'reckless and insane' Western sanctions and denies Russia stoking inflation -- Euronews/AFP

Putin says Ukraine invasion was ‘forced on us’ in speech delayed by cyberattack -- The Hill 

Putin: Russian Economy to Overcome 'Reckless' Sanctions -- AP

U.S. Intelligence Says Russian President Putin Was Treated For Cancer In April. Survived Assassination Attempt In March

Russian President Putin. Reuters  

Newsweek: Exclusive: Putin Treated for Cancer in April, U.S. Intelligence Report Says 

Vladimir Putin's health is a subject of intense conversation inside the Biden administration after the intelligence community produced its fourth comprehensive assessment at the end of May. 

The classified U.S. report says Putin seems to have re-emerged after undergoing treatment in April for advanced cancer, three U.S. intelligence leaders who have read the reports tell Newsweek. 

The assessments also confirm that there was an assassination attempt on Putin's life in March, the officials say. 

The high-ranking officials, who represent three separate intelligence agencies, are concerned that Putin is increasingly paranoid about his hold on power, a status that makes for a rocky and unpredictable course in Ukraine. But it is one, they say, that also makes the prospects of nuclear war less likely.  

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WNU Editor: Putin has been making regular public appearances, and to me he looks OK on TV. 

On Victory Day his security detail looked the same as usual, not what I would expect for someone who survived an assassination attempt. 

So is Putin sick? 

No one outside of Putin's inner circle really knows, and his inner circle are showing no signs that he is ill. 

Because if he was ill, these guys and their supporters would be positioning themselves right now to take over once President Putin can no longer rule, and that type of action cannot be hidden. 

U.S. Intelligence Says Russian President Putin Was Treated For Cancer In April. Survived Assassination Attempt In March  

Vladimir Putin has cancer and likely survived assassination attempt: US intel analysts -- NYPost  

Report: Putin underwent cancer treatment in April, survived assassination attempt in March -- Arutz Sheva 

Report: Putin treated for advanced cancer, US intelligence says -- American Military News

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Denies Rumors That Putin Is Seriously Ill

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (Reuters / Maxim Zmeyev) 

Politico: As Putin health rumors swirl, Lavrov denies Russian leader is seriously ill  

It’s at least the third time the Kremlin has been forced to deny rumors of the president’s ill health. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has denied that Vladimir Putin is seriously ill in the wake of numerous reports suggesting that the Russian leader has cancer. 

“You know, President Putin appears in public every day. You can see him on the screens, read his speeches, listen to his speeches,” Lavrov said, speaking to French media TF1. “I don’t think sane people can discern any sort of symptom of disease in this man.”

Lavrov’s remarks are not the first time the Russian government has been forced to deny reports about Putin’s health.  

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WNU Editor: There are reports that Putin successfully defeated cancer a few years back. But aside from that, for someone who is going to 70 years old this year, from what I have seen so far Putin looks physically OK. 

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Denies Rumors That Putin Is Seriously Ill  

Russia's Lavrov Denies Putin Is Ill -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov denies Vladimir Putin is ill -- NYPost  

No credible evidence Putin is ill despite appearance, anger in public: experts -- Business Insider

Is Putin's Inner Circle Already In Discussions On Who Is Going To Replace Him?

Russian President Vladimir Putin leads a meeting on economic issues in Moscow on Monday. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)  

Daily Beast: Putin’s Own Men Are Already Discussing Who Will Replace Him 

Three months into Vladimir Putin’s bloody “special operation” in Ukraine, his own men in the Kremlin are reportedly discussing who will replace him. 

That’s according to new reporting by the independent news outlet Meduza, which cited several sources close to the Russian presidential administration who said officials are increasingly fed up with Putin personally. 

Some of Putin’s own allies within the Kremlin walls have reportedly floated the idea of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin becoming his successor, or former President Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the deputy chairman of the Security Council. Sergei Kirienko, the first deputy chief of staff of the presidential administration, was also said to have been discussed as a contender.  

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Update: Kremlin officials 'are already discussing who will replace Putin' because 'there is an understanding he will not run the country in the foreseeable future' (Daily Mail)  

WNU Editor: When President Putin successfully pushed for constitutional changes in 2020 that would permit him to run in Russia's 2024 Presidential election (link here), I mentioned on this blog that many were unhappy with this decision. Everyone expected (including this blogger) that Putin was going to respect his Presidential term limit and not run for a third term, thereby giving a younger generation the opportunity to take over. 

That unhappiness still exists, and I would not be surprised if some of Putin's inner circle who see themselves running the country one day may see the Ukraine war as an opportunity in the future to put pressure on Putin to leave the office when his term ends in 2 years. So this talk that there are discussions within his inner circle to replace him does not surprise me. 

But you can take this to the bank. No one is going to push for Putin to be replaced with the war intensifying in Ukraine and relations with the West in a dangerous state of flux. Russians have circled their wagons, they are unified, and nothing is going to change that until the conflict has been resolved.

Is Putin Responsible For The World's Economic Problems?

 

Reuters: Russia's Putin jokes about being blamed for all the world's woes 

 LONDON (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin quipped on Monday that he would have a serious talk to the West about its assertions that he was to blame for all the economic chaos sown by the conflict in Ukraine and the West's crippling sanctions. 

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands and displaced 14 million people, while the West's attempt to isolate Russia as punishment and Moscow's blockade of grain shipments from Ukraine's Black Sea ports, have sent the price of oil, natural gas, grains, cooking oil and fertilisers soaring. 

At a televised meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin told Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that Russia's economy was doing well, despite the Western sanctions.  

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Update: Putin vows "to have a word" with his "alter ego" over Western economies’ problems (TASS) 

WNU Editor: For a country that has been accused for years of having a GDP that is smaller than Italy's, it is amazing that a such a small economy could impact the global economy to such a significant degree. Or is it because the leaders of these other countries are to blame for their country's problems, and are looking for a scapegoat.

Former Spy Who Wrote The Trump Russia Dossier Is One Of The Sources Who Is Saying Vladimir Putin Is ‘Quite Seriously Ill’

 

SKY News: Ukraine war: Ex-British spy and Russia expert Christopher Steele backs claims Vladimir Putin is ill 

The former MI6 officer, who wrote the dossier on Donald Trump and alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, says his sources have told him the leader is "quite seriously ill" but it's "not clear what this illness is". 

The former British spy who wrote a dossier on Donald Trump and alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election campaign says sources have told him Vladimir Putin is "seriously ill". 

Christopher Steele, who ran the Russia desk at MI6 in London between 2006 and 2009 and worked there in the 1990s, said Putin's illness was "an element" of what is happening in Ukraine. 

He told Sky News: "Certainly, from what we're hearing from sources in Russia and elsewhere, is that Putin is, in fact, quite seriously ill.

Read more .... 

Update #1: Vladimir Putin is ‘quite seriously ill’, says former spy who wrote Trump Russia dossier (The Independent) 

Update #2: Christopher Steele, the spy behind the discredited 'pee tape' Trump dossier, says sources tell him Putin is seriously ill (Insider) 

WNU Editor: Christopher Steele is not the source that you want to use when it comes to the Kremlin and Russian President Putin.

Russian President Putin Has A New Table

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with leaders of the countries of the CTSO Monday at a new long table, but this one is round. RIA Pool on Twitter 

Business Insider: Russian state media shows off Putin's new 'long but round' table at the Kremlin 

* Putin debuted another massive table while meeting with members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. 

* According to Russian state media, the table is "long but round." 

* Putin has distanced himself while meeting with other world leaders at a different, impractically long table. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a new long table — but this one is round. 

According to Russian state media, Putin was joined by the leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries at the massive round table Monday. 

The group discussed "deeper military cooperation and more efficient interaction on an entire range of current and new challenges and threats, including those emanating from Afghanistan," the Kremlin said, according to Russian state media outlet Tass.  

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WNU Editor: This table is more practical.

Is Russian President Putin In Poor Health?

The 69-year-old appeared to be walking with a limp as he descended from a podium and walked to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier  

Daily Mail: Putin, 69, is seen limping during Victory Day parade after watching display with a blanket over his lap in latest sign of his poor health 

* Vladimir Putin observed Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square on Monday 

* He appeared to be walking with a limp as he went to lay a wreath after a speech 

* The leader also threw a blanket over his knees while sitting to watch scaled-down parade 

* It comes amid persistent rumours that Putin is unwell and his health has got worse amid the war 

Vladimir Putin appeared to walk with a limp and sat with a blanket over his lap during Victory Day commemorations in Moscow today, raising fresh doubts over his health. 

The Russian leader, 69, attended the event - which commemorates Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945 - to give a speech during which he projected an image of Russian strength and military might despite the faltering war in Ukraine. 

But at several points - including as he left a speaking podium and went to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider to lay a wreath - Putin appeared to be walking with a heavy step, as if trying to disguise a limp.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: For someone who is 69 years old he looked OK to me at today's Victory Day celebrations. 

More News On Russian President Putin's Health 

Vladimir Putin sparks more health rumours as coughing president covers up with blanket -- Mirror  

Vladimir Putin sparks more health rumours as coughing president covers up with blanket -- Independent  

Putin sparks more health speculation by covering legs with blanket at parade -- NYPost  

'Well-known' oligarch 'close to Putin' says 'stories about him going bonkers are not a joke' and a 'nuclear strike threat is very real' -- Daily Mail  

Why Are We So Obsessed With Putin's Health? -- Ed Browne, Newsweek

Western Intelligence Still Cannot Figure Out Russian President Putin

Isolated - President Putin chairs a meeting in February 2022  

BBC: Ukraine war: Western agents seek to get inside Putin's head 

Russia's leader Vladimir Putin is trapped in a closed world of his own making, Western spies believe. And that worries them. 

For years they have sought to get inside Mr Putin's mind, to better understand his intentions. 

With Russian troops seemingly bogged down in Ukraine, the need to do so has become all the more necessary as they try to work out how he will react under pressure. 

Understanding his state of mind will be vital to avoid escalating the crisis into even more dangerous territory.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor:You would think that after ruling Russia for over 20 years Western intelligence would have an idea on how Putin thinks. Apparently not.

Did President Putin ‘Fall Asleep’ At The Beijing Olympics When The Ukrainian Team Was Introduced

Images of Putin's apparent nap sparked speculation on Twitter that he "faked" the snooze as a slight to the rival country. NBC  

New York Post: Vladimir Putin ‘falls asleep’ at Beijing Olympics as Ukrainian team is introduced 

Vladimir Putin’s not losing any sleep over the Ukraine conflict. 

The Russian president appeared to doze off during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics Friday as Ukraine’s national team marched through the stadium. 

The world leader was caught on camera slumped in his chair with his eyes closed as the athletes were introduced and their national anthem blared, according to the UK Independent.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I have done the Beijing to Moscow flight a few times. There is also a five hour difference between the two cities. I would be dozing off also.