For years, Putin has been political shorthand for everything relating to Russia — is that coming to an end?
Putin has loomed large on our foreign policy agenda for a long time.
The Russian leader has been walking the world stage since Dubya was still living at 1600. But time spares no man, and news reports suggest that Vladamir is about to exit stage left.
Vladimir Putin will quit in January amid fears he has Parkinson’s disease, Moscow sources have claimed.
The 68-year-old strongman president of Russia is being urged to retire by his former gymnast lover Alina Kabaeva, 37, insiders say.
Recent footage of Putin’s legs moving around as he gripped onto the armrest of a chair have raised eyebrows.
Eyes are also drawn to a twitching pen in the former KGB operative’s fingers and a cup which analysts told The Sun was filled with painkillers. –MSN
Of course, in Russia, that doesn’t mean he has to give up power entirely, even if that means he has to change the laws to make that possible.
Earlier this week it emerged that unexpected legislation was being rushed through to ensure that Putin could be made a senator-for-life.
The new draft legislation was introduced by Putin himself, and would guarantee him legal immunity and state perks until he dies. –MSN
