Monday, September 7, 2026

Putin to step down as Russian president: Report

The Russian leader is reportedly nursing Parkinson’s disease.

• November 6, 2020
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Credit: BBC)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Credit: BBC)

Vladimir Putin has come under family pressure to step down as Russian president on health grounds, UK’s The Sun reported on Thursday.

Mr. Putin may stand down as Russia’s president as soon as next year after more than two decades in power, The Sun reported, citing a connected Russian political scientist Valery Solovei.

Mr. Putin first came into power in 2000 and his current six-year term is expected to elapse in 2024. The tabloid said there have been claims that Mr. Putin has been nursing Parkinson’s disease and his daughters and 37-year-old wife are prevailing on him to stand down.

“There is a family, it has a great influence on him. He intends to make public his handover plans in January,” Mr. Solovei told The Sun.

The Sun also cited a recent video that showed Mr. Putin appearing to be struggling with shifting his legs. His fingers also trembled while he was holding a cup that presumably contained his medication.

Russian lawmakers have recently commenced deliberation on a new bill that sought to grant former presidents a lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution. It was unclear whether the proposed legislation had any direct link to Mr. Putin’s reported plans to stand down.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

The Comptroller General of Customs with officers at Zone ‘A’ of the service during their grand finale of their inter command competition ​‌⁠​‍‍⁠⁠‌‍‌⁠⁠‍​‌​‌​

NationWide

Adeniyi seeks expansion of NCS sport as customs police beat MMIA 1-0

The tournament was held under the theme “Fit to Serve, United to Lead.”

rescue couple

States

Security agents rescue couple from Edo kidnappers’ den

The police spokesperson noted that the victims were rescued unhurt from their captors.

Niger State

States

Gunmen invade Niger village, abduct two women, three children

The source stated that the attackers operated for almost hours.

Residents of Funtua

States

Residents lament insecurity in Katsina community

Residents of Funtua, Katsina State, have expressed concern over renewed bandit attacks and prolonged gunfire in parts of the town