Parkinson's or exoskeleton? Vladimir Putin’s ‘leg twitching’ fuels health rumours in backstage video with Trump

With the ripples of the Alaska summit yet to subside, Russian media have released a behind-the-scenes video of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, sharing light-hearted banter after delivering a public statement following the three-hour meeting.

The video shows the duo together backstage, with only a translator present. Trump and Putin were seen laughing as he spoke to Putin. The US President was the first to shake hands with Putin before tapping their joint hands. Putin reciprocates warmly. Trump also shook the Russian translator’s hand at the end of the clip.

While many Western media criticised Trump for “fawning over Putin” - the President had earlier invited Putin to share a ride with him in his Presidential Limousine - what caught the netizen’s eagle eyes was the abnormal “twitching” of President Putin’s legs. Putin was seen repeatedly jolting his knee, triggering speculations about the 72-year-old’s health.

While the Ukrainian media was sober in its coverage, stating something was “wrong with Putin’s legs”, some speculated that his shoes were tight, hinting that he was wearing an “exoskeleton” and even special shoes to appear taller. “'A strange element resembling a light exoskeleton was noticed in the outfit of the Russian dictator,” claimed Crimean Wind.

Stating that the video didn’t appear to show 5 feet 7 inch Putin dwarfing before 6 feet 3 inch Trump, the report said the Russian President suffered from “Napoleon complex” and wore shoes with “hidden platforms adding up to 12 cm [almost 5 inches] in height for the meeting of the century.”

But, netizens were brutal in their takedown of the Russian leader. “Putin’s legs are spasming uncontrollably as his Parkinson’s progresses,” a Ukrainian user posted the video on X.

“What the heck is wrong with Putin? Look at his body, almost convulsing, unable to stand still. Perhaps his body double took too much meth?” another Ukrainian account speculated.

However, before the trip, Putin was seen laying flowers at a World War memorial, and his gait appeared normal. Though rumours about Putin’s health had been doing the rounds for years, Moscow has dismissed them as “baseless rumours” spun by the President’s enemies.

 

 

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