Vladimir Putin has abruptly postponed a marathon set-piece live annual TV show where he answers questions from ordinary Russians.
One theory is that he fears a hostile interrogation over the war in Ukraine. Another is that there could be concern over the 69-year-old president’s health, and his ability to remain on TV continuously for the usual three-to-four hours, reports The Sun.
The Direct Line to Vladimir Putin event has been in June for four of the past five years, the exception being the first Covid-19 pandemic summer in 2020, when it took place in December.
The sudden delay was surprising since it had been announced five days ago that it would take place in the “foreseeable future”, implying soon after the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, which ends on 18 June.
Now his spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said the date it'll be held is “unknown”, and not in June.
The Q&A has run annually during Putin’s presidencies since 2001, with the exception of 2004 and 2012. Millions of questions can be submitted and Putin often answers around 70 in some detail.
No reason was given for the delay and Peskov indicated it would take place at a later date. But the postponement also comes amid rumours that Putin’s health is waning.
There have been claims that he is fighting blood, thyroid or abdominal cancer, and suggestions he has early stage Parkinson’s disease.
Some sources given credibility in the West say he has undergone cancer treatment during the war.
The Kremlin says his health is robust, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently denied Putin was ill.
On June 3, Peskov was quoted saying: “We proceed from the fact that in the foreseeable future it will take place.”
He indicated that the Direct Line would be soon after June 18. He said: “The Direct Line cannot take place this month. From a technical and substantive point of view, this is a complex event.
“Routine preparations are under way. But it will enter its final stage as soon as the deadlines are set.”
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