Vladimir Putin is fighting cancer, handing over temporary power amid the war with Ukraine

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, may be forced to give up his presidential powers to someone temporarily as he is set for his cancer treatment surgery. Reportedly, the Kremlin leader has abdominal cancer, which was diagnosed 18 months ago. US’s New York Post has claimed Putin will temporarily hand over his powers to Security Council Nikolai Patrushev.  

New York Post had cited a Telegram Channel rumored to be run by a former Russian Foreign Intelligence Service officer that said Putin had been asked to undergo surgery soon by his doctors. Patrushev is the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, an influential body that works under Vladimir Putin, issues guidance on military and security issues within Russia.  

As per the Telegram channel, it is speculated that Patrushev is more vicious than Putin, and if the Russian President handed over powers to him, things would get worse for Russia. As the Russian President, Nikolai Patrushev started his career as Russian Intelligence Agent, first with Soviet KGB and later with the Russian FSB. Patrushev is one of the key players that led to Ukraine’s invasion by Russia. According to media reports, it took only two hours of meeting with Putin to convince the invasion plan.  

The recovery after the surgery is expected to incapacitate Putin for a ‘short time. ’Putin wasn’t ready to transfer his powers earlier but now is prepared to put a “charge d`affaires” to control Russia and the war with Ukraine. Reports suggest that Putin wouldn’t hand over the powers to Patrushev for more than two or three days. Such a move by the Russian is surprising because, under the Russian Constitution, power to control should be possessed by Prime Minister in the absence of the President. 

The Russian President previously delayed the surgery scheduled for the last half of April. The reports suggest that the surgery will now take place after May 9 as preparations are underway for the Victory Day commemoration of Russia`s World War Two victory in Red Square.

Edited By: Aaradhana Singh

Published By: Akshaj Joshi