Putin: junkie madman?

As television diagnoses go, the theory the Russian president is addicted to steroids is pretty convincing. And it would explain a lot: not just the 15-metre tables with him at one end and his generals at the other, but also the invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's puffy face has some suggesting it's a sign he's taking steroids. Anabolic steroids are associated with increased irritability and aggression; corticosteroids are sometimes linked to mania and psychosis, writes Gwynne Dyer.UN photograph by Cia Pak

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

March 3, 2022

LONDON, U.K.—It was my wife Tina who noticed it first, a couple of weeks ago. Her father Charl, a clever, gentle man whom we all loved, was addicted to steroids—a doctor "friend" started him off on whole-body doses for asthma about 50 years ago—and over time his face had puffed up a bit in the...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy