Chechen leader meets Putin amid rumours of serious illness

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov met President Putin at the Kremlin to discuss a range of issues, amid rumours that he was "seriously ill".

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the economic achievements of the Chechen Republic and asked Mr Kadyrov to discuss "many issues" during a meeting in Moscow today, according to a Kremlin statement.

After the meeting, Kadyrov posted on Telegram that he and President Putin discussed a number of topics, including the role of Chechen soldiers in Ukraine.

"I want to express my pride in the results we have achieved. Every day we take prisoners, destroy equipment in the war in Ukraine," Mr. Kadyrov said. "The soldiers are in good spirits now. They have no problems with communications or equipment."

Russian state media said the meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Kadyrov "helped answer many questions".

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) meets with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov at the Kremlin on September 28. Photo: Kremlin.ru

The meeting comes amid months of speculation that Mr Kadyrov, 46, may be seriously ill. Some reports suggest he is suffering from serious kidney problems.

On September 17, he posted two videos on the social network Telegram showing him taking a walk and urging people to exercise, possibly to dispel rumors about his health. When asked by reporters about rumors that he was seriously ill and had to be hospitalized, he smiled and flexed his biceps.

The Kremlin has so far refused to comment on reports that Kadyrov is in poor health.

Kadyrov is the son of Akhmad Kadyrov, who served as president of Chechnya before being assassinated in a bombing in May 2004. In February 2007, he was appointed leader of the Chechen Republic by President Putin.

He is considered a close ally of President Putin, strongly supporting the separatist movement in eastern Ukraine and Russia's annexation of Crimea. Kadyrov has been put on the sanctions list by the US and the European Union (EU), which targets many close associates of the Kremlin boss.

In October 2022, Mr. Kadyrov said that about 10,000 Chechen soldiers were participating in the Ukrainian military campaign. "If necessary, 70,000 more troops are ready to fight," the Chechen leader declared.

Huyen Le (According to Reuters , Moscow Times )

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