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White House Won't Venture a Guess on Putin Health Rumors
ADDS THAT RUSSIAN NEWS AGENCIES REPORTED THAT THE MEETING WAS HELD AT AN EARLIER DATE In this image supplied by the Presidential Press Service Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the regional leader of Karelia in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, March 11, 2015 . The Kremlin’s press service attempted to dispel the rumors about Putin's health Wednesday by issuing a photo of a meeting between Putin and the regional governor of Karelia. However, local news agencies had reported on the meeting as early as March 5. Russian news agency RBC cited an anonymous source in the Karelian governor’s office as saying that the meeting had actually taken place March 4. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Presidential Press Service)\n

White House Won't Venture a Guess on Putin Health Rumors

"I have enough trouble keeping track of one world leader."

As the Russian government tries to fend off rumors that President Vladimir Putin’s health is failing, the White House is not bothering to squelch much.

Asked about the Putin rumors on Friday, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said he has “enough trouble keeping track of one world leader," and added, “I would refer you to Russia for questions on theirs. I’m sure they’ll be very responsive.”

AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Presidential Press Service

In the last week, Putin canceled a trip to Kazakhstan, postponed a treaty signing and was absent from a Russian intelligence meeting, the New York Times reported. On Friday, the Kremlin released what it said was a video from a meeting that day, but hasn't entirely quelled speculation.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that no one should worry about Putin. Asked if Putin – known for a tough guy image – still has a firm handshake, Peskov replied, Putin "can break a hand."

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki referred questions about Putin to the Russian government.

Pete Kasperowicz contributed to this post. 

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Fred Lucas

Fred Lucas

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