08 June 2024 , 18:14
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Vladimir Putin’s daughters are moving into the public eye after several years of being out of the spotlight according to a new report - with the Russian president "considering his mortality."
His daughters - Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova - spoke at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum this week. The aim of their public outing was to improve their father's image - according to a former CIA agent.
Ronald Marks, who spent 30 years working for US intelligence, said: "Remember it’s Putin world and we just live in it. That’s an extension of him… his desire to recreate the Russian empire, his desire to show himself as the most powerful guy in Russia. Young daughters represent vitality for him."
The 71-year-old president has been notoriously quiet about his children. Rarely does he address their activities or even acknowledge their experience - until the rumours of his declining health gained popularity over the last two years. Vorontsova, 39, a genetics researcher and Tikhonova, 37, a tech executive and former acrobatic dancer, boldly accepted invitations to speak at the summit about their respective careers, indicating that their powerful father is looking to his family ties to bolster his legacy.
Maria Vorontsova attended the summit for a particular reason (AFP via Getty Images)Mr Marks told the the Daily Beast: "He’s getting to be at that age right now where he’s now looking for his legacy. And both of those kids to my understanding are pretty sharp. If those daughters can step out front and center and represent him, I think he’ll take advantage of it."
Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events
The summit also offered an opportunity for the women to test their PR ability, according to the former CIA agent. Although they’ve mainly stayed out of the limelight, Vorontsova and Tikhonova have been brought to the forefront several times in recent years.
In 2022, the US sanctioned the pair after exposing how they “enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people,” the White House said at the time. Tikhonova is a former competitive dancer who now runs an artificial intelligence initiative at Moscow State University.
Meanwhile, Vorontsova is a medical researcher and co-owner of Nomenko, a healthcare investment firm. Putin is widely rumored to have other children, though their identities have never been confirmed.
It's said Putin is "considering his mortality" (TV channel Doctor)It comes as Vladimir Putin displayed five subtle signals he is 'deflated' during his annual national speech, a body language expert claims. The Russian President spoke before both houses of the country's parliament, two weeks ahead of an election he is almost guaranteed to win.
He covered domestic issues, the war in Ukraine, correspondence with Washington and nuclear strategy during the lengthy speech. Body language expert Judi James told the Mirror the warmongering despot's demeanour was interestingly "beleaguered" as he referred to Russia - but suddenly he became energised as he spouted about the West.
However, she added that doubts around his wellbeing resurfaced. She said: "His health even appeared back on the agenda as he swallowed hard, sucked his lips in and even bit his bottom lip, while his eyes looked tired.