Putin on Reports of Poor Health: It Would Be Boring Without Rumors

Last week, Vladimir Putin's lack of public appearances led to a flurry of theories in the media about his whereabouts, including rumors on his health.

STRELNYA, St. Petersburg, (Sputnik) – President Vladimir Putin commented on reports on the state of his health as various media had speculated during more than a week on the reasons why the Russian leader "had disappeared."

“It’d be boring if there weren’t rumors,” Putin said.

The rumors that Putin's health had deteriorated emerged online and in global media, when the president had not been seen publicly since March 5. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any illness of the president, calling the reports "funny."

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev on Monday killed all rumors about the Russian president's health, saying Putin’s not just on his feet, but also “hotrodding behind the wheel.”

“[Russian President] Vladimir Vladimirovich just drove me around the territory. That’s just so there’s no rumors,” Atambayev said during a meeting with Putin outside St. Petersburg.

The Kyrgyz president said rumors often spread about his own health, which he believes is unnecessary.

“But the president of Russia isn’t just walking, he’s hotrodding around, driving his guests around behind the wheel,” Atambayev said.

The Kyrgyz president arrived in St. Petersburg on Monday to hold bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart. The process of Kyrgyzstan's acceptation in the Eurasian Economic Union, which also includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia, is pending.