The world can't stop asking the question: What if Putin is sick with cancer or some other major disease? What happens in Ukraine? What happens to the thousands of nuclear weapons Putin is sitting on?
Prior to the First World War, the Ottoman Empire was described as the “sick man of Europe,” while during that horrible conflict, some in the German high command stated that having Austria-Hungary as their main ally was akin to being “shackled to a corpse.” For the Allies, Russia was also a sick man, an empire on the verge of collapse – which finally occurred with the February Revolution of 1917 and then again with the October Revolution that same year.
Russia could now be described as the sick man of Europe, but it was a nation that was already being slowly brought to destruction by the policies of Vladimir Putin, even before the Kremlin launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine this past February. Putin’s attempt to restore the Russian/Soviet Empire now appears to be doomed to fail, and the question is whether he will actually live to see the pending collapse.
It was a little over a month ago that rumors circulated over the health of Putin, who was seen clutching a chair while his hand turned purple – suggesting that he could be suffering from a number of illnesses including cyanosis or Raynaud’s disease.
These are fairly common illnesses that affect those living in colder climates, and the conditions can be brought on by stress. It would be impossible to think that Putin isn’t feeling a great deal of pressure from the state of the war in Ukraine.
However, the problem could be far worse, with speculation rampant that he may have pancreatic cancer or Parkinson’s disease.
Putin Fell
There were also reports that Putin fell down some steps at his official residence in Moscow earlier this month, and possibly soiled himself. It should be remembered that the primary source of this news was an anti-Kremlin Telegram channel, but it seems that the fall did occur and has been shaken off by Moscow.
Such falls involving seniors are commonplace, so too much shouldn’t be made of it.
But when taken as a whole – from his appearance to the cancelation of meetings and other events – it is likely that Putin is suffering from something.
As noted, he is a 70-year-old who works long hours and is likely under a great deal of stress. It is unlikely the world will know exactly how ill Putin is, at least until the news comes of his demise. It would be a surprise for Moscow to admit anything sooner.
The question is what health will Russia be in when Putin’s clock stops ticking and his already cold heart stops beating?