MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – The Kremlin on Friday dismissed as untrue a report in the UK’s Sun newspaper that suggested that President Vladimir Putin may be suffering from Parkinson’s disease and was likely to step down early next year.
The report referred to Russian political expert Professor Valery Solovei, who had suggested earlier this week in a radio show that Putin was facing pressure from his entourage to quit because of fears for his health.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the newspaper report based on the assertions of Solovei was false.
“It’s absolute nonsense,” said Peskov. “Everything is fine with the president.”
When questioned whether Putin would step down early next year, Peskov said: “No”.