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Putin reignites Parkinson’s rumors as he grips table to prop himself up in viral video

The 69-year-old dictator seemed 'feeble and barely able to hold himself upright' during a meeting with his defense chief

As the Russia-Ukraine war gets intense with each passing day, rumors regarding Russia President Vladimir Putin’s deteriorating health refuse to die. As per reports, during a recent meeting with his defense chief, the 69-year-old Russia strongman looked bloated and unkempt. The Sun reported that he seemed “feeble and barely able to hold himself upright” as he planned military strategy in Mariupol with Sergei Shoigu.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, speculations are rife that Putin is going through a secret health battle, with some experts claiming he has cancer while some say he may be suffering from Parkinson's.

And his appearance on Thursday, April 21, boosted those rumors again as the autocrat apparently looked in pain while asking Shoigu to block the Azovstal steel plant, where reportedly troops from Ukraine are hiding.

During the meeting, the video of which has gone viral, Putin was also seen tapping his foot and holding the side of the table, which apparently showed his weak health.

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Explaining his recent appearance, Professor Erik Bucy, a body language expert from Texas Tech University, told The Sun Online: “It’s an astonishingly weakened Putin compared to the man we observed even a few years ago. An able-bodied president would not need to keep himself propped up with a hand held out for leverage and would not be concerned about keeping both feet planted on the ground.”

Bucy then went on to say, “This is not a portrait of a healthy Putin but one appearing increasingly feeble and barely able to hold himself upright at a small conference table. Putin’s legs also appear quite thin, as if he may be suffering from weight or muscle loss from an unannounced malady. Bloating in his face reinforces an unhealthy appearance, especially compared to photographs and video of the Russian premiere from a few years ago.”

Professor Patrick Stewart, from the University of Arkansas, also appeared to agree with Bucy as he said, “The hands being held up under the table are in an almost begging position, while holding the table is different from what I've seen previously - certainly holding tightly onto the podium is something we have seen from Putin when considering a stressful issue in front of the free press.”

Several took to Twitter to comment on Putin’s alleged ill-health as The Kyiv Independent's reporter, Illia Ponomarenko, wrote: “Is this just me or Putin really looks less healthy and sound with each and every day of the war? I can see a drastic difference between now and late February.” Frida Ghitis, a contributor to CNN, tweeted, “Putin, sinking in his chair, gripping the table. He’s okay, right? Healthy?”

Louise Mensch, an author, shared: “PS: I reported, Vladimir Putin has Parkinson’s disease and here you can see him gripping the table so that his shaking hand is not visible but he cannot stop his foot from tapping.” Swedish economist Anders Åslund added: “Putin's meeting with Shoigu today shows both depressed & seemingly in bad health. Shoigu has to read his comments to Putin & slurs badly, suggesting that the rumors of his heart attack are likely. He sits badly. Poor performance. Worth watching.”