Theories over the health of Russian President Vladimir Putin remain after his foot was seen shaking at an important conference with other world leaders,
Visiting Uzbekistan, Putin met dictator-leader Serdar Berdymukhamedovof Kyrgyzstan. He then read lines from prompt cards as the pair met at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s council in Samarkand.
Putin, who will be 70 next month, said: "We will take our relations to a new level [as] provisioned and signed in [a] declaration on deepening our strategic partnership."
Speculation over his death has dogged Putin for years and intensified following his vicious full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February.
Despite claims of cancer and specialist doctors surrounding the Russian leader - the Kremlin denies Putin is in ill health - intelligence chiefs believe Putin to be perfectly well.
Director of the CIA William burns and MI6 chief Richard Moore both believe Putin to be well, Burns describing him as "entirely too healthy".
Moore, speaking at the same Aspen Security Forum in July, said: "There’s no evidence that Putin is suffering from ill health".
Burns' statement came despite a Newsweek exclusive that said US intelligence had come to the conclusion that the president was being treated for advanced cancer in April of this year.
One official from the office of the Director of National Intelligence said a classified US report indicated there was indeed a problem with Putin's health.
They said: "Even if they agree that the intelligence [that Putin is dying] is reliable, they can't bank on an expiration date nor signal their support for a Russia without Putin."
They added: "A nuclear-armed Russia is still a nuclear-armed Russia, whether Putin is strong or weak, in or out, and not wanting to provoke him or his potential successor into thinking we are hell-bent on their destruction is an important part of continued strategic stability.
He was seen with shaking legs in early September during a visit to the province of Kamchatka in the far east of Russia.
The Russian leader appeared to be fidgeting as he spoke to a group of students part of the National Environmental Youth Forum
The Kremlin leader met other heads of state at the council and greeted Kyrgyzstan leader Sadyr Japarov with an awkward hug.
A greeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi resulted in a 20-second marathon handshake.
Recently, evidence emerged of Russia using Iranian-made weapons in their war in Ukraine, likely due to a shortage.
Ukrainian officials reported their forces had shot down a Shahed-136 uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) for the first time
The UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it was a sign Moscow is "increasingly sourcing weaponry from other heavily sanctioned states".
