Since the start of the war in Ukraine – and even before – Vladimir Putin's state of health has been the subject of much speculation.
The Russian president is said to be seriously ill, with some saying he has cancer, Parkinson's disease or an autoimmune disease.
Each photo, each video appearance of the leader is dissected, each sign – a shaking hand, a stiffness, an unsteady gait, a grin – interpreted as further proof of his declining health.
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According to
Newsweek
magazine , the subject would be the subject of intense discussions within the White House.
Intelligence reportedly provided its fourth comprehensive assessment at the end of May, in which it reported that Vladimir Putin reportedly underwent treatment for advanced-stage cancer in April, three intelligence officials who had access to the report said.
Newsweek
.
The same sources add that the Russian president would have been the target of an assassination attempt in March, without however giving details.
These senior figures also fear that Putin is becoming increasingly paranoid about his grip on power, a state which they say makes his reactions and the course of events in Ukraine increasingly unpredictable.
“Chaos awaits us if he dies”
"Putin's grip is strong but more absolute
," said one of the officers who read the reports.
“The power struggles inside the Kremlin have never been so intense under his rule, with everyone feeling that the end is near,”
he adds.
These three senior officials admit at the same time that the increasing isolation of the Russian leader makes it more and more complicated the task of assessing his state of health with precision, and only reinforces speculation.
“We have to be careful not to wishful thinking
,” warns one of
Newsweek
's sources .
“We learned – or did not – learn this lesson the hard way with Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.”
The information that American intelligence thought it had on the state of health of these last two characters was in fact based on rumors fueled by the interested parties themselves – or relatives – to deceive the enemy.
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Shortly after the article appeared, the National Security Council issued a strong denial to Newsweek, saying, "
Reports that such intelligence community assessments exist or have been provided to the President are not not true.
“
Even if they agree that the intelligence
[that Putin is dying]
is reliable, they cannot bet on a date or signal their support for a Russia without Putin
,” comments one of the
Newsweek sources, who concludes
:
Putin is definitely sick... Whether he will die soon is pure speculation.
However, we should not be reassured.
(...) He is still dangerous, and chaos awaits if he dies.
Be ready.
»