With Putin’s Deteriorating Health Pushing Him to Be More Aggressive — Is Russia Preparing for War Against US and NATO Too?
The image left a disturbing impression.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, 69, meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on April 21. In the 12-minute video released to the public, he kept gripping the corner of the desk with his right hand and shaking his leg throughout the meeting. Itsuro Nakamura, a professor at Tsukuba Gakuin University and an expert on the situation in Russia, said, “His back was stiff and his posture was rigid.”
His back muscles were stiff and his posture was poor, giving the impression that he was in poor physical condition. He seemed to be suppressing his tremors by gripping the corner of the desk tightly. Mr. Putin is said to have been suffering from an illness that has prevented him from controlling his behavior for about six years. I think he was just trying to keep the worsening symptoms at bay.”
On April 3, the independent Russian media outlet Proekt reported that thyroid specialists have frequently visited Putin’s Grand Palace in Sochi in the south of the country. He visited 35 times over a four-year period from 2004 to 2008 and spent 161 days in the palace. When Putin disappeared from public eyes for a time last September, it was reported that he may have undergone surgery for thyroid cancer.
Shaking his body from side to side
The aforementioned Professor Nakamura continues.
When he met with Belarusian President Lukashenko in February of this year, he also appeared to be in poor health. Mr. Putin’s hands were spinning in circles and he was clutching the armrests of his chair tightly. He was wiggling his toes vigorously and was clearly restless.
His behavior was also unnatural during an online discussion with regional bureaucrats in March. His back was straight and his body was swaying widely from side to side. Compared with his previous public appearances, in which he had appeared in an imposing manner, he left me with nothing but a sense of discomfort.
Putin’s health concerns are also affecting the chaotic situation in Ukraine. He is aiming to declare victory on May 9, Victory Day against Germany. Putin is hoping to make a second victory by defeating Ukraine, which he sees as a “neo-Nazi” state. But,
The Ukrainians are currently struggling, rather than achieving clear war results. We have given up on conquering the capital of Kiev, and the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, the ‘Moscow,’ has been sunk. There is a good chance that an impatient Mr. Putin will resort to violent action by any means necessary. The danger of chemical weapons and nuclear missiles is growing by the day.
Another reason for Mr. Putin’s impatience is his failing health. Mr. Putin will turn 70 this year. In Russia, where the average life expectancy for men is about 65 years, he is probably in the elderly category. It is not surprising that Mr. Putin, pessimistic about his future as his physical and mental health is deteriorating, would want to get results as soon as possible.
Putin’s goal is to wipe out the West and restore a great Russia. There is a danger that he will embark on an all-out war with the United States and NATO, including the use of nuclear weapons.
There seems to be no doubt that something is wrong with President Putin’s body. The anomaly may also be having a negative impact on the dictatorial leader’s decision-making – and that is a good thing.
Photo: Jiji Press