Russian President Vladimir Putin has used a new massive table as he continues to keep his distance from other Kremlin officials amid speculation about his health.
Putin met with representatives of Russia’s religious associations at the Kremlin on Friday as the war in Ukraine continues.
The Russian leader was pictured sitting at one side of a huge rectangular table as other officials sat on the other side.
The footage was shared on social media, with various users giving their views on Putin’s latest appearance.
Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to Ukraine’s internal affairs minister, tweeted the photo with the caption: “His position at the table says a lot. (Does the table look like a pool to you?)”
This isn’t the first time Putin has caught attention due to his unconventional sitting arrangements.
He was famously pictured with French President Emmanuel Macron in February 2022, just two weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In the picture, Putin and Macron were seen sitting at opposite sides of a huge table as they engaged in talks.
A similar scenario was seen earlier this year when heads of state from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan spoke to Putin from the other side of a large room.
Rumours suggesting that Putin had suffered a cardiac arrest emerged earlier this week, but the Kremlin quickly denied the claims.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said: “Everything is fine with him, this is absolutely another fake.”
In response to further questioning about body doubles, Mr Peskov said: “This belongs to the category of absurd information hoaxes that a whole series of media discuss with enviable tenacity. This evokes nothing but a smile.”
Rumours surrounding Putin’s health have persisted for years. Independent media outlet Proekt once reported that Putin travels with an oncologist, indicating that he could have cancer.
But the Kremlin has repeatedly denied any suggestion that Putin is suffering health complications.
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