Terrified and sickly Putin's disastrous war has sealed his fate – I know how its all going to end, warns ex-CIA chief
Ralph Goff, ex-CIA chief of operations for Europe and Eurasia, said the aging Russian tyrant is preoccupied with his health.
8
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin this week
Credit: AP
8
Rumours have often swirled about Putin's ill health
Credit: AFP
8
Putin famously donned a full suit and gas mask during Covid
Credit: EPA
8
Ukrainian soldiers fire a ZU-23 anti-aircraft twin auto-cannon towards a Russian drone
Credit: AFP
And while he fumbles with trying to keep well, there is likely to be fermenting dissent in his elites.
He said Putin, 72, could fall very quickly if his oligarch pals turn on him - potentially losing power in a sudden uprising like Assad.
Goff said the Russian president's health and well-being is his "top concern".
The ex-spook - a 35-year CIA veteran - told The Sun: "Putin is a guy who's afraid of Covid, afraid of being sick.
"His personal health and well-being are his top concern.
"Putin may have the same fate as Bashar al-Assad who fell suddenly without warning.
"I think this is one of the more likely outcomes for Putin - a threat that he doesn't even see coming, comes out of nowhere, and he's gone."
Like other intelligence chiefs, Goff - who served in Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia - believes Putin "sees a threat in the elite".
He said: "It's similar to the Italian mafia organised crime in the United States - where if the head was judged bad for business, then the they would get together and take him out.
"So Putin's got to watch out. He's got to watch the economy.
How country with population the size of Birmingham on Putin's doorstep is bracing for invasion… as war plans revealed
"He's got to watch the loyalty of the oligarchs."
Despite leading a war effort that has been devastating to Russia, Vlad is "still popular", Goff said.
But he added: "It's a huge scale of devastation and loss. And that can undermine just about anybody."
8
Putin pictured coughing during a briefing at the Kremlin
What we know about Putin's health
By Henry Holloway, Deputy Foreign Editor
VLADIMIR Putin has long been rumoured to be suffering from poor health.
Russia has always insisted that the judo-loving, horse-riding and often shirtless tyrant is in perfect health.
Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky even stated as fact earlier this year that Putin will "die soon".
From trembling "jelly" legs and bloated features to whispered diagnoses of cancer and Parkinson's, speculation has exploded that the ageing despot is battling multiple serious illnesses behind the Kremlin walls.
Bombshell spy leaks have suggested Putin is fighting pancreatic, thyroid, and even prostate cancer.
An investigation by Proekt media revealed that a top thyroid cancer surgeon visited Putin no fewer than 35 times at his Black Sea resort, Sochi.
The tyrant is also reportedly followed constantly by a neurosurgeon, raising fears of neurological or oncological issues.
Footage of Putin greeting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in April 2022 showed him trembling uncontrollably, his knees appearing to buckle as he attempted a handshake.
He has since been caught in multiple clips tapping his foot, gripping tables for support and slouching awkwardly in meetings – including during a 12-minute briefing with defence chief Sergei Shoigu where his hand clutched a desk throughout.
Alongside cancer and Parkinson's rumours, some reports have also linked Putin to multiple sclerosis (MS) – a chronic condition affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Though less widely reported, speculation about MS has emerged due to Putin's unsteady gait, rigid posture, and occasional difficulty with movement – all potential symptoms of the disease.
Videos have shown him walking with stiffness, appearing to drag his legs, and struggling with coordination.
As the war rumbles on, Goff revealed the recipe for Ukraine success - more weapons from Europe and targeting Russian assets.
He said: "When the Ukrainians are successfully armed and prepared, they can hold out - and there's an increased chance of forcing some sort of settlement.
"If not, Putin can continue this war for as long as he likes - to the point where the Ukrainians are forced to kind of seek a very disadvantageous peace, or ceasefire."
Goff warns it would be "very unstable" with "no guarantee that some sort of war won't break out in the future".
And outside Russia, Goff believes a regime change in Iran would have a direct impact on Putin's war.
He said: "A change in regime would undermine that support and help isolate Russia just a little bit more."
8
Ralph Goff - who served in the CIA for 35 years - believes Vladimir Putin could face the same fate as Syria's Assad
Credit: Supplied
8
Ukrainian soldiers fire a 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops in Kharkiv
Credit: Reuters
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Army chief Lord Peter Inge famous for ‘putting the fear of God' into officers leaves staggering sum to family in will
Lord Inge's daughters also get their South London-born dad's vast collection of military memorabilia HUGE FORTUNE Ex-Army chief Lord Peter Inge famous for 'putting the fear of God' into officers leaves staggering sum to family in will FORMER Army chief Lord Peter Inge left £3million in his will. Lord Inge died in July 2022, aged 86, after a five-decade career in which he rose from National Service conscript to Field Marshal. Advertisement He was the last Field Marshal to actively serve in the Army, with those since elevated to the highest rank, including King Charles, only done so after their retirement. Lord Inge was famous for putting the fear of God into other senior officers with cutting remarks and incisive questions. He was appointed Chief of the General Staff in 1992, then Chief of the Defence Staff in 1994. Lord Inge later became a fierce critic of the British campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and blasted the Ministry of Defence for failing to 'think strategically'. Advertisement The South London-born officer took the top Armed Forces job after his predecessor was caught having an affair with a Tory MPs wife, and while British forces were struggling in Bosnia. Sir John Major's Conservative government had also pledged to further slash the size of the Army – with Inge under pressure to accept fresh cuts. The no-nonsense officer led forces through the conflict and was reportedly 'delighted' to come under mortar fire during a ride around Saravejo in a French armoured SUV. After being elevated to the House of Lords, Lord Inge of Richmond, Yorks., became a vocal critic of further plans to cut the Army. Advertisement He left £3,167,854 in his estate, reduced by £150,000 after deductions. His wife Letitia died in 2020 so it was divided between daughters Antonia, 63, and Verity, 59. They also get their South London-born dad's vast collection of military memorabilia, farm estate in Leyburn, North Yorks, and central London flat. 1 Lord Peter Inge died in July 2022, aged 86, after a five-decade career in the army Credit: Alamy
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Trump says he plans to put a 100% tariff on computer chips
US President Donald Trump has said he will impose a 100% tariff on computer chips, likely raising the cost of electronics, autos, household appliances and other goods deemed essential for the digital age. The Republican president said that companies who make computer chips in the US would be spared the import tax. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a shortage of computer chips increased the price of cars and contributed to an uptick in overall inflation. His announcement came as Apple chief executive Tim Cook joined Mr Trump at the White House on Wednesday to announce a commitment by the tech company to increase its investment in US manufacturing by an additional 100 billion dollars (£74.9 billion) over the next four years. Today's announcement is one of the largest commitments in what has become among the greatest investment booms in our nation's history 'This is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of ensuring that iPhones sold in the United States of America also are made in America,' Mr Trump said at the press conference. 'Today's announcement is one of the largest commitments in what has become among the greatest investment booms in our nation's history.' As part of the Apple announcement, the investments will be about bringing more of its supply chain and advanced manufacturing to the US as part of an initiative called the American Manufacturing Programme, but it is not a full commitment to build its popular iPhone device domestically. 'This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce components — semiconductor chips included — that are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and we're grateful to the president for his support,' Mr Cook said in a statement announcing the investment. The new manufacturing partners include Corning, Coherent, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments and Broadcom among others. Apple had previously said it intended to invest 500 billion dollars (£374 billion) domestically, a figure it will now increase to 600 billion dollars (£449 billion). Mr Trump in recent months has criticised the tech company and Mr Cook for efforts to shift iPhone production to India to avoid the tariffs his Republican administration had planned for China. While in Qatar earlier this year, Mr Trump said there was 'a little problem' with the Cupertino, California, company and recalled a conversation with Mr Cook in which he said he told the businessman 'I don't want you building in India'. India has incurred Mr Trump's wrath, as the president signed an order on Wednesday to put an additional 25% tariff on the world's most populous country for its use of Russian oil. The new import taxes to be imposed in 21 days could put the combined tariffs on Indian goods at 50%. Apple's new pledge comes just a few weeks after it forged a 500 million-dollar deal with MP Materials, which runs the only rare earths producer in the country. That agreement will enable MP Materials to expand a factory in Texas to use recycled materials to produce magnets that make iPhones vibrate. Speaking on a recent investors call, Mr Cook emphasised that 'there's a load of different things done in the United States'. As examples, he cited some of the iPhone components made in the US such as the device's glass display and module for identifying people's faces and then indicated the company was gearing to expand its productions of other components in its home country. 'We're doing more in this country, and that's on top of having roughly 19 billion chips coming out of the US now, and we will do more,' Mr Cook told analysts last week, without elaborating. News of Apple's latest investment in the US caused the company's stock price to surge by nearly 6% in Wednesday's midday trading. That gains reflect investors' relief that Mr Cook 'is extending an olive branch' to the Trump administration, said Nancy Tengler, chief executive of money manager Laffer Tengler Investments, which owns Apple stock. Despite Wednesday's upturn, Apple's shares are still down by 14% this year, a reversal of fortune that has also been driven by the company's botched start in the pivotal field of artificial intelligence.
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Trump could meet Putin as soon as next week, White House official says
US President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week as he seeks to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, a White House official said. The official cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. The official was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans. The White House said Mr Trump was also open to a meeting with both Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Trump would be their first since Mr Trump returned to office this year. Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands during their meeting in Moscow on Wednesday (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) It would be a significant milestone in the three-year-old war, though there is no promise such a meeting would lead to the end of the fighting since Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on their demands. News of a potential meeting with Mr Putin, which was first reported by The New York Times, came hours after Mr Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met Mr Putin in Moscow. Mr Trump had posted earlier on Truth Social that Mr Witkoff 'had a highly productive meeting' with Mr Putin in which 'great progress was made'. It was not immediately clear if Mr Putin or Mr Zelensky had agreed to any meetings with Mr Trump. Mr Zelensky has been willing to meet face-to-face with Mr Putin to end the conflict, but Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea. Mr Trump has met Mr Zelensky several times this year, including a contentious February meeting in Washington. Though he has not yet met Mr Putin this year, Mr Trump met with him five times during his first term. Mr Trump said earlier on Wednesday that he updated America's allies in Europe and that they will work toward an end to the Russia-Ukraine war 'in the days and weeks to come'. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky.' Her statement did not address the potential timing of any meeting. Mr Witkoff met Mr Putin days before the White House's deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil. The meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff lasted about three hours, the Kremlin said. Mr Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff had a 'useful and constructive conversation' that focused on the Ukrainian crisis and, in a nod toward improving relations between Washington and Moscow, 'prospects for possible development of strategic co-operation' between the United States and Russia.
