A Photogallery Of Vladimir Putin

Reuters

Business Insider: 18 photos that show Vladimir Putin doesn't mess around

On Monday, the world's most powerful person reappeared after mysteriously disappearing for 10 days.

Without a definitive explanation from the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed President Almazbek Atambayev of Kyrgyzstan amid swirling rumors.

Putin rarely goes unnoticed after a year during which Russia annexed the multi-ethnic peninsula Crimea, engineered a civil war in Ukraine, and signed off on the world's largest construction project.

WNU Editor: I always roll my eyes when I see photo galleries like this one .... but for someone reason that totally escapes .... the general public (especially in Russia) loves seeing it.

Putin Is Alive!

Reuters: Russia's Putin reappears after 10 day absence, laughs off 'gossip'

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin reappeared on Monday after 10 unexplained days out of public view, laughing off the "gossip" over his health that had erupted during his absence.

The 62-year-old leader met the president of Kyrgystan at a lavish Tsarist-era palace outside St Petersburg in his first appearance since Feb. 5. His unexplained absence had fueled rumors he was ill, had been overthrown by the army or had even flown abroad to attend the birth of a love child.

"It would be boring without gossip," Putin said, smiling easily before television cameras and looking relaxed, if pale, in a dark suit and tie.

WNU Editor: Ten days is a long time to disappear .... my prediction .... we will only know what he did during this time when he is finally out of office .... if anyone should care at that time.

Where Is Russian President Putin?

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia at a Kremlin news conference on March 5. The event was the last confirmed public sighting of Mr. Putin. Credit Pool photo by Mikhail Klimentyev/Ria Novosti

New York Times: Putin Has Vanished, but Rumors Are Popping Up Everywhere

MOSCOW — Where’s Putin?

The question obsessed Moscow and much of Russia on Friday, as speculation mounted as to why President Vladimir V. Putin had not been seen in public for more than a week.

He abruptly canceled a trip to Kazakhstan and postponed a treaty signing with representatives from South Ossetia who were reportedly told not to bother to fly to Moscow. Most unusually, he was absent from an annual meeting of the top officials from the F.S.B., Russia’s domestic intelligence service.

The rumor mill went into overdrive, churning out possible explanations from the simple to the salacious to the sinister. He had been stricken by the particularly devastating strain of flu going around Moscow just now. He sneaked off to Switzerland for the birth of his love child. He had a stroke. The victim of a palace coup, he was imprisoned within the Kremlin. He was dead, aged 62.

More News On The Rumors Swirling Around The Disappearance of Russian President Putin

Kremlin declines to comment on report on Putin's absence from Moscow: Dozhd -- Reuters
Where is Vladimir Putin? Russia's President has been awol for 10 days and the rumour mill is in overdrive -- The Independent
Vladimir Putin Alive, Sick With Flu Despite Death Rumors, CIA Source Tells Gawker -- IBTimes
Ten days and counting: Vladimir Putin 'missing' mystery goes on as media retract sighting -- Sunday Express
Swiss media reveals more about Putin’s girlfriend, baby -- New York Post
Paper says Austrian doctor treating Putin for back problems -- Reuters
Vladimir Putin has been 'neutralised' by a stealthy coup as rumours about his health and well-being continue to flourish -- Daily Mail
The latest Putin rumor is that he is recovering from the flu -- Business Insider
Speculation rife as world waits for Putin to reappear -- BBC
Mystery of Putin's disappearance deepens with Russian state media 'mistake' -- The Telegraph
Everyone 'Worried' About Putin's Whereabouts, Except The Russians -- Kenneth Rapoza, Forbes
Putin Hasn’t Been Seen in Public in a Week. But Don't Freak Out Quite Yet. -- Joshua Keating, Slate
This is why it’s impossible for the Kremlin to lie about Putin’s weird disappearance -- Julia Ioffe, Washington Post

The Real Reason Why Russian President Putin Disappeared This Week

ITAR-TASS/Reuters

Barbie Latza Nadeau, Daily Beast: Is Putin in Switzerland for Birth Of Secret Love Child?

The Russian leader has been missing, prompting speculation he’s deathly ill—but Italian and Swiss media says he’s just been in Lugano for the birth of his baby.

Russian president Vladimir Putin appears to be back at the Kremlin after a mysterious disappearance that had people wondering if the Russian leader might be seriously ill or at risk of a coup. But a Swiss newspaper says the Russian playboy was just in Lugano for the birth of his lovechild.

In an article titled Es ist ein Mädchen! or “It’s a Girl,” the paper Bilk claims that Putin and his alleged 32-year-old lover, Olympic gymnast Alina Kabayeva, welcomed their daughter at the private Santa Anna di Sorgeno clinic in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino on the Italian border—a favorite playground for wealthy Russians.

Update: Paternity leave for Putin? Swiss paper's baby rumor causes stir -- Deutsche Welle

WNU Editor: Is this true? As we say in Russian .... да .... поздравляю.

Where Is Russian President Putin?

VOA/Reuters: Kremlin Says Putin Healthy, Dismisses Illness Rumors

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin is in good health, the Kremlin said on Thursday, dismissing rumors that the leader was suffering from an illness after a foreign trip was canceled.

A Kazakh governmental source said Putin's trip to Astana scheduled for this week was canceled because Putin had fallen ill, stirring speculation on social media that something had happened to the 62-year-old leader.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, asked by Reuters if the president was in good health, replied “yes.”

WNU Editor: Rumors of Putin's health are nothing new .... and while in the past the Kremlin may have been very good at hiding the state of health of its leaders .... today .... such secrecy is very hard to maintain. If Putin was suffering from a serious illness .... we will be knowing about it very quickly. But it is also true that in the past year .... he has dropped out of sight for a few days .... and on more than one occasion. Hence the rumors.

More News On Reports That Russian President Putin Is Ill

Kremlin calm on Putin health rumors amid delayed Kazakhstan visit -- ITAR-TASS
‘His handshakes break hands’: Press secretary dismisses Putin illness rumors -- RT
'Where is Putin?' Russians ask, as leader drops off radar for a week -- AFP
Russia Seeks to Calm Speculation as Putin Meetings Scrapped -- Bloomberg
Rumours swirl over health of 'missing Vladimir Putin' -- The Telegraph

Is Russian President Putin's Approval Rating At 86% Real?

Sputnik: Putin's Approval Rating Rises to 86 % - Independent Poll

Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval rating has jumped to 86 percent, a 17-percent increase since February 2014, the Levada Center, an independent pollster, says.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval rating has jumped to 86 percent, a 17-percent increase since February 2014, according to a recent poll by the independent Levada Center, media reports said.

While the majority approved of Putin's presidency, 13 percent of respondents disapproved or refused to answer the question, according to the poll.
It also revealed that 59 percent of those polled currently trust Putin.

WNU Editor: When you watch the above CNN video .... you walk away with the sense that these numbers are all bogus. As to what is my take .... when Russians read news stories like this one .... U.S. Armor Units Parade 300 Yards From The Russian Border .... yes .... his approval ratings go off the chart. Regular readers of this blog know that my nationality is Russian (I am now a Canadian citizen) ... but I still know a few hundred Russian friends and family members back in the old country. If I was to do a poll among them .... with the exception of myself and maybe a cousin or two .... they all support Putin and would vote for him in the next Presidential election. His most fervent supporters are the pensioners .... he has treated them well (at least better than his predecessors) .... and they reward him with their support. Putin has also positioned himself extremely well .... when Russians feel threaten they always circle the wagons, and Putin has positioned himself to be in the middle of this circle. But these high approval ratings should not really surprise anyone .... after-all .... President Obama enjoys 90% (if not more) support from the American black community .... but if you at look at the economic numbers for this community ... it has been a complete disaster for most of them during the 6 soon to be 7 years of his Presidency. But I understand why they still support him .... they still believe that he cares about them. The same thing can be said for Putin and the Russian community

More News On Russian President Putin's Popularity Polls

Putin's Approval Rating Creeps Up to 86%, Poll Shows -- Moscow Times
Vladimir Putin’s approval rating soars to 86 percent: ‘That figure is made up,’ critic says -- Washington Times
Vladimir Putin's approval rating? Now at a whopping 86% -- CNN

Russian President Putin: War With Russia Would Represent 'Apocalyptic Scenario' For Eastern Europe (Update)

BBC: Ukraine conflict: Russia's Vladimir Putin says war 'unlikely'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said war with neighbouring Ukraine is "unlikely", in an interview for Russian television.

Mr Putin also stressed his support for the recent Minsk ceasefire deal as the best way to stabilise eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine says Russian troops have been fighting in Ukraine. Mr Putin repeated denials that this was the case.

Foreign ministers from Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany are meeting in Paris on Tuesday to discuss the ceasefire.

More News On Prussian President Putin's Remarks That War With Russia Would Represent An 'Apocalyptic Scenario' For Eastern Europe

Vladimir Putin: War with Ukraine would be 'apocalyptic' but unlikely -- CNN
Ukraine crisis: Vladimir Putin says war with Russia would represent 'apocalyptic scenario' for eastern Europe -- The Independent
Putin Says All-Out War Between Russia, Ukraine Is Unlikely -- NBC
Putin Says War With Ukraine 'Unlikely' -- Radio Free Europe
War with Ukraine “unlikely” – Putin -- Euronews
Putin discounts war in Ukraine, supports cease-fire -- UPI
Putin says the 'apocalyptic scenario' of going to war with Ukraine is 'very unlikely' as Russian-backed rebels finally begin to withdraw artillery -- Daily Mail
War with Ukraine 'unlikely,' says Putin -- Deutsche Welle
Putin says Russia-Ukraine war unlikely -- Al Jazeera
War with Ukraine an 'unlikely apocalyptic scenario' says Vladimir Putin -- IBTimes

Previous Post: Russian President Putin: Apocalyptic War Against Ukraine Unlikely

Is Vladimir Putin Worth $200 Billion

Washington Post: Is Vladimir Putin hiding a $200 billion fortune? (And if so, does it matter?)

In much of the West, the public perception of Vladimir Putin is that of a Bond villain. With his tailor-made suits, thick accent and KGB past, he seems right out of the Pierce Brosnan era.

Of course, like all the best Bond villains, Putin needs a mysterious fortune for funding his misdeeds and building elaborate lairs. And so, you find the West fascinated by murky tales of Putin's opulent wealth.

The latest estimate of Putin's absurd wealth comes from Bill Browder, a former fund manager in Russia who is now one of the Russian president's fiercest critics on the world stage.

WNU Editor: $200 billion ?!?!?!?! Show me the proof .... but there is no proof. This again is all BS to sell books.

German TV Documentary Claims That Russian President Puitin Is A 'Wife-Beater' And Has Had A Face-Lift

Daily Mail: Putin 'had a face-lift' and 'beat his ex-wife', claims TV documentary

* Documentary on Vladimir Putin claims he was a 'drunken groper' in 1980s
* The programme 'Putin the Man' aired in Germany on Tuesday evening
* The makers used Stasi police files and interviews with former KGB officers
* It branded him a 'lazy, drunken spy' during his time at Dresden field office
* The documentary also claimed he underwent a secret facelift in 2010

WNU Editor: So he likes to sleep late, has a late breakfast, enjoys a drink or two, is worried about aging, and is usually late for appointments .... hmmm ... sounds like me (but I have become better with appointments thanks to my GF who is always promising to kill me if I am late ... and I have accepted my age). The wife-beating and face-lift part .... nah .... that is not me. This documentary is all BS .... but people are curious about Putin ... and they want the details. The five assassination attempts is a surprise .... I heard that there were 12.

More News On A Recent TV German Documentary On Putin

'Vladimir Putin is a wife-beater' - and six other claims in new documentary -- The National/The Telegraph
Putin 'had face-lift and beat ex-wife', TV documentary claims -- The Independent
Vladimir Putin Used To Be A ‘Lazy, Drunken KGB Spy’ Who ‘Beat His Wife,’ Documentary Claims -- Inquislitr
Vladimir Putin was a 'drunken letch during his time as a KGB spy', claims new documentary -- Express
TV program claims Putin is ‘terrified’ of ageing -- Al Arabiya
New Documentary Paints Vladimir Putin As “Lazy, Drunken KGB Spy” -- Value Walk

Kremlin: Do Not Issue Ultimatums Or Threats To Putin

SKY News: Kremlin: Don't Issue Ultimatums To Putin

The words come as the EU suspends new sanctions - including visa bans and asset freezes - to give peace efforts a chance.

WNU Editor: I call this laying the groundwork for this Wednesday's Ukraine peace conference in Minsk.

More News On Russian President Putin's Response To "Pressure" From The West

Kremlin warns the West not to issue ultimatums to Putin as Angela Merkel puts together 'peace plan' proposal to the White House ahead of talks over Ukraine -- Daily Mail
Don't issue ultimatums to Putin: Russian radio cites Kremlin -- Reuters
Giving ultimatums isn’t the way to talk to President Putin – Kremlin -- RT
Putin will not accept ultimatums over Ukraine: Kremlin -- New Vision
Ukraine conflict: Vladimir Putin renews blame on West -- BBC
Russia's Putin Suggests U.S. Bent On World Domination -- Radio Free Europe
Russia's Putin says Kiev on 'dead-end track' in east Ukraine -- Reuters
Putin says Ukrainians have to agree among selves to end crisis -- AFP
Putin Rejects Attempts to Contain Russia After Peace Talks Fail -- Bloomberg
Trust me: Vladimir Putin says, ‘We are not going to wage war on anyone’. -- Washington Times

When it Comes To Ukraine, Who Is Russian President Putin Listening To?

Fred Weir, CSM: 'Putin's brain' says he doesn't have Putin's ear. Do we know who does?

WNU Editor: When it comes to Ukraine these are the key men that Putin is listening to right now .... Russian Prime Minister Medvedev, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, head of the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Nikolai Patrushev, Russia's finance minister Anton Siluanov, and Chief of Staff Sergei Ivanov. Within the military it is Russian armed forces Chief-of-Staff Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu. And as to what they are telling him .... I have no clue .... but my instincts are telling me that everyone in his office (including Putin himself) know that the Ukraine crisis and Russia's economic crisis are the two most important issues facing Russia today ... and they are not going to back down. As to what policies and strategies that they will pursue .... I am speculating again .... but on Ukraine they will keep on providing material and support to pro-Russian rebels ... while maintaining their goal of modernizing and expanding the Russian military. On the economic front they are going to focus on pursuing new markets and new trade/economic arrangements while working with countries like China to undermine the dominance of the U.S. dollar in currency markets and to "chip away" at its reserve status among global currencies.

Recent Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials on Putin

Sorry, Ukraine, You Can't Beat Putin -- Marc Champion, Bloomberg
Sanctions Aren't Enough to Stop Putin, and He Knows It -- Carol Matlack, Bloomberg
Putin eyes benefits as rebels gain in Ukraine -- Timothy Heritage, Reuters
Czar Putin’s Next Moves -- Thomas Friedman, NYT
Putin's World: In It To Win It -- Walter Russell Mead, American Interest
President Putin of Ukraine? -- Greg Austin, The Diplomat
Putin Goes All In as Ukraine Fights for Funding -- Daryna Krasnolutska and Stepan Kravchenko, Bloomberg
A Putin surprise in eastern Ukraine? -- Kimberly Marten, Washington Post

Russian President Putin Labels The Ukraine Army As A 'NATO Legion'

Voice of America: Putin: Ukraine Army in Fact ‘NATO Legion’

WNU Editor: NATO responds .... NATO chief calls Putin’s claim of ‘NATO legion’ in Ukraine 'nonsense' (Stars and Stripes)

More News On Russian President Putin Labeling The Ukraine Army As A 'NATO Legion'

Putin: Ukraine army is NATO legion aimed at restraining Russia -- RT
Putin Calls Ukrainian Army 'NATO Legion' -- Sputnik
Putin accuses Ukraine army of being 'NATO foreign legion' -- AFP
Putin: Ukrainian army a "NATO legion" -- UPI
Putin: NATO Using Ukraine’s Army To Fight For Its Interests -- Eurasia Review
Putin says 'foreign legion' in Ukraine, NATO says 'nonsense' -- Deutsche Welle
Ukraine conflict: Putin 'foreign legion' remarks nonsense - Nato -- BBC
NATO chief: Putin comment on NATO legion in Ukraine is 'nonsense' -- Reuters

Russian President Putin Gives His Annual State Of The Nation Address

Putin To Legislators: West Wants To Weaken Russia -- Voice of America

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out Thursday at the United States and its European allies, saying Western sanctions for Russia's annexation of Crimea were just an excuse to weaken the country.

Delivering his annual state of the nation speech to legislators, Kremlin officials and other leaders on Thursday, Putin said the sanctions are not just a reaction of the U.S. and its allies over Russia's response to the events and a coup in Ukraine.

"I am certain that if all this did not take place ... they would come up with another reason to contain Russia's growing capabilities, to influence it or, even better, use it for its own goals," the Russian leader said.

Read more ....

More News On Russian President Putin's Annual State Of The Nation Address

Putin's Address to Federal Assembly 2014 (Full Coverage) -- Sputnik
Vladimir Putin's annual state of the nation address (Full Coverage) -- ITAR-TASS

Key points of Vladimir Putin's annual state of the nation address -- ITAR-TASS
Highlights - Putin delivers keynote speech on economy, Ukraine -- Reuters
Bullish Putin compares the West with Hitler in combative state-of-the-nation speech (...but not everyone's impressed as prime minister Medvedev falls asleep) -- Daily Mail
Putin defends Russia's foreign policy -- AP
Putin says foes hope to dismember Russia; ruble falls -- Reuters
President Putin urges Russian resilience for hard times -- BBC
Vladimir Putin: west has tried to contain Russia for decades -- The Guardian
Putin compares West with Adolf Hitler in desire to subjugate Russia -- The Telegraph
In Kremlin speech, Putin rails at West, tries to bolster economy as recession looms -- Washington Post
Putin: Russia Needs to Reverse Trend of Zero Economic Growth -- Sputnik
Putin speech offers few reforms for economic woes -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Putin Suggests Total Amnesty for Offshore Capital Returning to Russia -- Sputnik
Putin Suggests Four-Year Tax Freeze in Russia -- Sputnik
Presidential Address Should Not Be Viewed as New Economic Policy: Kremlin -- Sputnik
Russia’s Putin Accuses West of Provoking Ukraine Crisis -- WSJ
Putin: Talking to Russia from position of strength is meaningless -- RT
Putin: Under No Circumstances Will Moscow Stop Cooperating With Europe, US -- Sputnik
Putin says Russia will not be dismantled like Yugoslavia -- Reuters
Putin says Russia wants cooperation with the West -- Reuters
Putin Accuses Western 'Enemies' of Building New Iron Curtain Around Russia -- Vice
Rouble falls sharply as Putin blames West over Ukraine in keynote speech -- Reuters
Russian assets fall after Putin disappoints and oil slide resumes -- Reuters
Putin Grasping at Straws as Economic Cures Fail to Impress -- Bloomberg

My Comment: I listened to all of his speech (and in Russian) .... and I was completely underwhelmed. I must confess that after 10 minutes I felt like Russian Prime Minister Medvedev (see picture below).

With his eyes closed, Russian prime minister Dmitri Medvedev appears to be having a nap during Putin's speech.

According To Russian President Putin, Everything Is 'Fine'

Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a live broadcast nationwide phone-in in Moscow in this April 17, 2014 file photo. Credit: Reuters/Alexei Nikolskyi/RIA Novosti/Kremlin/Files

Putin Says Russia Doing Fine in Face of Tumbling Crude Prices -- Bloomberg

President Vladimir Putin said Russia will cope with the rout in crude oil after benchmark prices plunged to a four-year low near $70 a barrel.

“We are satisfied overall with the situation and do not see anything so extraordinary in what is happening,” he said today in Sochi, Russia. “Winter is coming and I am sure that the market will come into balance again in the first quarter or toward the middle of next year.”

Putin’s comments run counter to the consensus of analysts, who see Russia threatened with recession after crude collapsed into a bear market. The world’s second-largest oil exporter, which relies on crude for almost half its income, is revising down estimates after basing next year’s budget on oil at $100 a barrel, Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev told reporters in Moscow today.

Read more ....

More News On Russian President Putin

Putin expects oil prices to find balance by middle of 2015 -- Reuters
Putin Says OPEC Decision Suits Russia -Interfax -- Nasdaq
Putin Begins Talks With French Oil Giant Total's New Head -- Sputnik
Attempts to pressure Russia by sanctions futile, says Putin -- First Post/IANS
Putin calls for switch from sanctions to search for mutually acceptable solutions -- ITAR-TASS
Radical groups once employed by West are main threat for Syria, Middle East — Putin -- ITAR-TASS
Putin to push trade in Turkey despite disagreement on Syria -- Reuters
Putin generally satisfied with Russia state defense order situation -- ITAR-TASS
Vladimir Putin wants Russia to have full access to Hollywood movies -- The Guardian

Putin: Russia Is Not Isolated. Dismisses Talk About The 'Iron Curtain' Returning

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Security Council at the Kremlin in Moscow, November 20, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

Putin Says Russia Not Isolated Over Ukraine, Blames West For Frosty Ties -- Reuters

(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin blamed the West for worsening relations with Russia since the Ukraine crisis and said Moscow would not allow itself to become internationally isolated behind another 'Iron Curtain'.

In an interview published by state news agency TASS on Sunday, Putin also said Western sanctions against Moscow, combined with the slide in the rouble and oil price falls would have no "catastrophic consequences" on Russia's economy.

The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and ratcheted them up over Moscow's backing for separatists fighting Kiev troops to split east Ukraine.

Read more ....

More News On Russian President Putin's Remarks On Russian Isolation

Russia Will Not Rebuild Iron Curtain In Wake Of Economic Sanctions Over Ukraine: Vladimir Putin -- IBTimes
Putin dismisses risk of Iron Curtain comeback -- Al Jazeera
Vladimir Putin: We are strong because we are right -- ITAR-TASS
Why Vladimir Putin thinks it's still 1985 -- Matthew Chance, CNN

My Comment: The "Iron Curtain" is not returning .... but Russia is now isolated politically from the West .... and on certain levels it is isolated economically. And while I know that Russia will survive .... times are going to be tough for the next few years.

Update: At least this is a bit of positive news .... Putin Says He Won't Remain President Forever (Moscow Times).

Putin: 'US Wants To Subdue Russia'

President of Russia Vladimir Putin.(RIA Novosti / Alexey Druzhinin)

Putin:'US Wants To Subdue Russia, But No One Did Or Ever Will' -- RT

The US has no plans to humiliate Russia, but instead wants to subdue it, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said, adding that no one had ever succeeded in doing so – and never will.

Speaking at a forum of the All-Russia Peoples' Front in Moscow on Tuesday, the Russian leader said that history was not about to change, and that no one would manage to suppress the country.

"Throughout history no one has ever managed to do so toward Russia – and no one ever will," Putin said.

Responding to a question about whether America was trying to humiliate Russia, Putin disagreed, saying that the US wanted "to solve their problems at our expense."

Read more ....

More News On Putin's Comments That The 'US Wants To Subdue Russia'

US wishes to subdue Russia, but no one will ever manage this — Putin -- ITAR-TASS
Putin says United States will never 'subdue' Russia -- Reuters
Vladimir Putin vows that United States 'will never subjugate Russia' -- The Telegraph
Putin says the U.S. wants to 'subdue' Russia but will fail -- USA Today
Defiant Vladimir Putin Accuses US of Attempting to 'Subdue' Russia -- IBTimes

My Comment: Just like the U.S. (and everywhere else) .... there are "low information voters" who can be easily swayed by a politician's nonsense.

What Is Vladimir Putin's Agenda (In 90 Seconds)

Putin: Nothing Wrong With Soviet Union's Pact With Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany

Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Putin Photo: Press Portrait Service/EPA

Vladimir Putin Says There Was Nothing Wrong With Soviet Union's Pact With Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany -- The Telegraph

Russian president says he sees nothing wrong with treaty with Nazi Germany that led to the carve-up of Poland - and blames Britain for destroying any chance of an anti-fascist front

Vladimir Putin has said there was nothing bad about the Nazi-Soviet Pact, the non-aggression treaty which led to the carve-up of Poland at the outset of the Second World War, stating Britain and France destroyed any chance for an anti-fascist front with Munich Agreement.

The Russian president made the comments at a meeting with young historians in Moscow, during which he urged them to examine the lead-up to the war, among other subjects.

The comments are likely to cause dismay in eastern Europe, amid wider debate in Russia about growing attempts to use history as a means of shoring up Mr Putin's rule.

Read more ....

Update: Putin Urges Russian Historians To Combat 'Rewrite' Attempts -- Radio Free Europe

My Comment: I know Putin said this deliberately because he wants to provoke a debate ..... and Russians love to debate and discuss history. But on this issue .... do not even know where to begin commenting.

Russian President Putin's Popularity Is Declining In The Latest Poll

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (Reuters / Alexei Nikolsky / RIA Novosti / Kremlin)

Putin’s Rating Falls Below 50 Percent In September - Poll -- RT

After reaching an all-time high in August President Putin’s approval rating has fallen in September according to the latest research. The Kremlin says it is a natural fluctuation.

According to the influential independent pollster Levada, 49 percent of Russians said they were ready to vote for Putin should a presidential election be held next weekend. In August he was polling 57 percent – the highest in history. Regardless of the share of supporter in society Putin has topped the presidential ratings since his election as president in 2012.

Vladimir Putin’s press secretary and deputy head of the Presidential Administration, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters that changes in public mood were a normal thing.

Read more ....

My Comment: Another Russian poll is telling a different story .... Russians’ approval of Putin hits near all-time high, poll shows (RT). As to what is my take .... Putin's approval and support is still very high. If an election was held today he will probably win with slightly more than 50% .... but it is also true that his support overall is declining. The big worry is the economy .... the recession has already started, and everyone I know in Russia are now more focused on that than on the crisis in Ukraine and/or in the worsening relations with the West.

Does Russian President Putin Have Cancer?

Russia's President Vladimir Putin Photo: Reuters

Cancer Rumors Swirl Around Putin -- Richard Johnson, New York Post

There is an explanation for Vladimir Putin’s hurry to invade Ukraine — it is rumored he has cancer.

News outlets from Belarus to Poland have reported for months that the Russian strongman has cancer of the spinal cord. But my sources say it’s pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal forms of the disease.

Putin is allegedly being treated by an elderly doctor from the old East Germany whom Putin met decades ago while serving in Dresden for the KGB. The doctor has been trying various treatments including steroid shots, which would explain Putin’s puffy appearance.

Read more ....

Update: Does Vladimir Putin Have Cancer? -- Inquisitr

My Comment: Rumors on Putin's health have been ongoing for years. This is nothing new. As to what is my point of view .... he looks OK but it is true that he is not as active as he use to be. Then again .... he is 62 and playing hockey and doing judo is probably not on the top of his priority list right now.