Moscow: The Kremlin says Vladimir Putin will visit Turkey next week, a trip that follows an unusual break in the Russian President's travel that has fuelled speculation about his health.
Putin's office announced today that the one-day visit to Istanbul Monday will focus on economic issues.
Putin was expected to visit Turkey in October, but he postponed that and several other foreign trips, and spent most of the past two months at his suburban residence, visiting the
Kremlin only rarely. The hiatus in travel has triggered a swirl of rumours about Putin's condition.
One newspaper report claimed Putin had injured his back in a widely publicised flight with Siberian cranes in a motorised hang glider in September. His spokesman denied that and said that Putin pulled a muscle during judo training.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, November 29, 2012, 00:39