ladimir Putin may have a reputation for strong-arming world leaders, but speculation is rife over the Russian president’s appearance in Iran with a seemingly listless limb.
Journalists and social media users are making much of how Putin held his right arm during a visit to Tehran on Tuesday, when he met his Turkish and Iranian counterparts, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ebrahim Raisi, as well as Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Alongside a video of Putin getting off his plane to meet a delegation at Mehrabad airport, Middle Eastern Eye journalist Ragip Soylu tweeted: “There is something wrong with Putin’s walk.” He added in a follow-up message: “Also right arm doesn’t move. Curious footage.”
The clip prompted other social media users to offer a flurry of armchair diagnoses about Putin’s condition.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member