VLADIMIR Putin is said to be "high on speed" during key meetings, as he battles cancer and other health problems.
The Russian leader is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and neurological issues from both Israeli and Chinese doctors, political analyst Valery Solovey has alleged.
Solovey-whose earlier claims about the Kremlin leader's poor health were denied- has stated the tyrant has resorted to "very strong stimulants” amid significant weight loss.
Putin's recent treatment has not improved his condition leaving him "very upset" and "absolutely depressed" it is reported.
Leading Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon told Solovey during an interview that the dictator had appeared "very unwell" at a meeting with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov earlier this month.
The camera appeared to limit the footage of a pale Putin who was seen gripping his desk.
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"You should watch, if you see how the real Putin walks, you'll notice that his legs became more like matches," said Solovey.
His minders use cotton padding “to hide his scragginess”, he alleged.
"He lost a lot of weight - but you can't do that with the legs. And his body double is distinguished by the angularity of his face.
"That's related to his [the doppelgänger’s] kidney problems. Though, he is still healthier than the real president.
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“When he makes public appearances [Putin] is ‘high on speed’ as young people put it - very strong stimulants".
His "eyes are shining, and the brain falls behind [his] tongue".
Solovey -who claims to have sources close to Putin- said the Kremlin leader needed intense preparation to be fit for Chinese president Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Russia.
"Doctors were preparing him for the meeting with Xi Jinping for two-or-three days,” claimed Solovey.
"It was necessary to rest, to receive certain medications to be able to ‘last’ three-or-four hours of negotiations and to look convincing.
"But Xi Jinping cannot be fooled.
"The thing is Chinese doctors participate in the treatment of the Russian president along with Israeli [medics].
"[These are] the two main countries which take part in terms of medicine.
"Israelis are involved mainly in the treatment of oncology, and the Chinese are dealing with neurology.
"So they have quite a good understanding of his condition."
Body expert Louise Mahler said Putin appeared "agitated" and was slouching, twitching his leg, clenching his fist and looking at the floor during the meeting while Xi appeared "settled and confident".
Solovey previously said the Russian despot's health is "dramatically deteriorating" and that his secret medical conditions have impacted his judgment on the war.
His claims came as Telegram channel General SVR - which also says it has behind-the-scenes insights - said Putin’s latest medical examination had shown little improvement after cancer therapy in early March.
“The doctors tried to soften the news about the lack of positive results in a conversation with Putin, but they did not do very well,” said the channel.
“The President realised that, apparently, there is no need to wait for improvements and was very upset by this.
“The doctors explained that this was not yet a disaster, it was possible and necessary to fight, but Putin's mood was already spoiled, he looked absolutely depressed.
“At the beginning of April, the president will have another large examination, following which a new treatment strategy will be recommended.”
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The period before Xi’s arrival in Moscow saw rumours that Putin had used a body double on visits, including to war-blitzed Mariupol in occupied Ukraine.
Putin recently revealed he is now often living in a flat in the Kremlin rather than his several official residences and palaces.