Putin make up fuels speculation

Oct 29, 2010 |

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Oct. 28: Was it a flying elbow during judo practice? A little nip and tuck? Or exhaustion from too many flights? Russian and Ukrainian media speculated feverishly on Thursday over what could have caused two dark patches under the Prime Minister, Mr Vladimir Putin’s eyes. This was not just tabloid fodder — even the respected daily Kommersant joined in.

Mr Putin wore heavy makeup at a meeting on Wednesday with Ukraine’s pro-Russian leadership, but yellow foundation could barely cover up bluish, bruise-like blemishes and puffiness on his cheek bones.

Mr Putin, a confident orator who speaks with enthusiasm and humour, appeared tired and under the weather in Kiev. His remarks to the press were brief and he decided to take no questions. Mr Putin’s spokesman denied there was anything amiss.

“There are no bruises there. He was just really tired after several flights and extra meetings. Also, the light may have fallen on him in an unfortunate manner,” Mr Dmitry Peskov said. Still, the discoloration of Putin's face was the talk of his visit.

The Ukrainian newspaper Levy Bereg was more blunt. “Did Putin have a facelift?” was its headline on the story. The paper’s suggested Mr Putin either had plastic surgery, underwent a complicated dental procedure that left his face puffy or had an unfortunate judo fight. Putin is a black belt in judo.

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