Monday, August 17, 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.”

Health minister Muhammed Ali Pate

Health

FG, ICPC set up task team to tackle corruption in health sector

The permanent secretary described the partnership with ICPC as timely and important. 

Governor Abdullahi Sule

Heading 5

Gov. Sule inaugurates nine-member council to tackle insecurity in Nasarawa

He said sustainable security required justice, dialogue and responsible leadership. 

palliative work at the deplorable Okhun Junction

States

Edo govt. begins palliative work on Okhun road in Benin

Mr Idahosa said he had visited the site consecutively from Friday to Monday to monitor the work.

Aregbesola and Adeleke

States

Ex-governor Aregbesola congratulates Adeleke on his electoral victory 

He urged Mr Adeleke to see the outcome of the election as a renewed mandate to unite the state.

Kaduna State University (KASU)

States

Over 200 lecturers, including professors, have left KASU: ASUU

He attributed the development to poor remuneration and declining welfare conditions in the university.

capsized boat

States

Five farmers die as boat capsizes in Niger

Hussaini Ibrahim, spokesman for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said the victims were four men and one female.