THE mystery surrounding Vladimir Putin’s whereabouts has deepened, as Ukraine’s leader claims the Russian despot “doesn’t have much time left”.
Volodymyr Zelensky made the morbid claims after the 73-year-old tyrant has remained unseen for more than a week.
Despite this, Moscow’s state media has broadcast footage of Putin meeting officials in recent days, however there is speculation that the videos could be prerecorded.
It is unclear whether the reason for his absence is related to his health.
On Friday, Zelensky spoke to Politico at the Munich Security Conference, saying: “I’m younger than Putin.”
Achieving a laugh from the audience, the 48-year-old Ukrainian president said it was “important”.
“He doesn’t have too much time, you know,” Zelensky said.
“Not too much time. He has, God bless, not too much time.”
Putin has not been publicly seen since giving a speech on February 5.
The Russian dictator rarely takes holidays; however, several times a year he disappears from the public eye with no explanation, as state television channels broadcast prerecorded footage of him attending meetings.
Such absences have led to speculation of Putin undergoing secret medical treatment and other more outlandish theories including the use of various body doubles.
Jacob Jugashvili – grandson of former Russian leader Joseph Stalin – who is closely involved in Russian politics said he believed the tyrant is “very likely” already dead.
In 2024, he said Putin had been replaced by actors “being manipulated by unelected persons who seized power” inside the Kremlin.
Despite these theories coupled with other rumours of serious health conditions, Putin had recently appeared to be energetically carrying out his busy work schedule.
Zelensky’s comments come as US President Donald Trump called on him to make concessions for Putin, claiming that Russia sought a peace deal in the war that will soon enter its fifth year.
“Russia wants to make a deal and Zelensky’s going to have to get moving,” Trump said.
“Otherwise he’s going to miss a great opportunity.
“He’s going to have to move.”
Russia is still demanding Ukraine cede territory in Donbas, which Putin’s forces have failed to seize during the war.
Ukraine has so far refused to accept the condition ahead of new peace talks slated to happen in Geneva next week.
Hitting back at Trump’s claims, Zelensky said his country had already made concessions – the largest being for Putin not to be jailed for war crimes.
“We have made a lot of compromises,” he said.
“Putin and his friends – they are not in prison.
“This is the biggest compromise the world made already.”
Also rebuffing Trump, the Kremlin has reinstated hardline aide Vladimir Medinsky as chief negotiator for the Geneva talks, replacing GRU military intelligence chief Admiral Igor Kostyukov.
The US has also urged China to act in efforts to stop the war in Ukraine, with Matthew Whitaker – Trump’s ambassador to Nato – claiming it would only take one phone call.
“China could call Vladimir Putin and end this war tomorrow,” he said.
The comments come as Russian forces continued their assault on Ukraine overnight, leaving a 76-year-old woman dead in the rubble in Odesa.
Drones have also continued to destroy administration buildings in the Ukrainian border region of Chernihiv.
