MOSCOW (AP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun isolating himself from internal coronavirus infections, the Kremlin said Tuesday, adding that it had tried to prove it lacked COVID-19.
The announcement came after the Kremlin read a phone call to Putin and the President of Tajikistan. Putin received the full vaccine and the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, receiving it again in April.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin was “healthy”, but would isolate himself when he met the person who contracted the virus. He did not say how long it would take for Putin to be alone, but he was determined to keep the president active.
Asked if Putin was found to be HIV-negative, Peskov said “yes, yes.”
Peskov did not say who Putin’s partners were with the virus, saying there were several cases.
On Monday, the Russian president took part in a series of public events. He greeted the Russian Paralympians, took part in hostilities with Belarus, and met with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
In a meeting with the Paralympians, Putin also said “he should be alone soon.”
“Even in my troubles it happens with this COVID,” the Russian leader was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency. “We have to see what happens there. I think I should isolate myself soon. Many people around me (me) are sick. “
Asked why Putin was continuing with the public events on Monday, even though he already knew there were cases of coronavirus surrounding him, Peskov said the idea of isolation had taken place “after doctors had completed their tests, their methods.”