Vladimir Putin has been mocked by a top Ukrainian official after footage emerged of the Russian autocrat’s leg shaking uncontrollably during his meeting with Belarussian leader Lukashenko last week. Ukrainian internal affairs advisor Anton Geraschchenko suggested Putin was sending “Morse code” with his continuous foot tapping, while another commentator joked that he was “dancing to American Rock’n’Roll!”. The footage also resparked rumours that Putin is unwell, with one social media user, whose father died of Parkinson’s, claiming it looked like the “later early stages” of the disease.
In the video of the meeting between Putin and Lukashenko, the left leg of the Russian leader can be seen shaking relentlessly.
Mr Gerashchenko, a former deputy minister in Ukraine, commented on the clip on his Telegram channel.
He said: “Putin’s feet during his meeting with Lukashenko. Is this Morse code?”
Central and eastern European news outlet Visegrad tweeted that it “looks like something is wrong” with the Russian leader.
Another social media user said it looked like Putin was saying: “Guys, I love to dance American Rock’n’Roll!”
One Twitter commentator with knowledge of Parkinson’s said: “Whether restless or medical, it’s not normal behaviour on [the] world stage.
“Seven years I cared for my father who died of Parkinson’s. I can attest it looks like later early stages, but you be the judge.”
Another person brought attention to Putin’s right hand “gripping the chair” as possible evidence of an ailment.
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