How does a man who has everything celebrate?
After what emerged from Russia on Friday about President Vladimir Putin's 70th birthday, with work.
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, had already made it clear on Wednesday that the president would attend "work events" on his birthday.
The fact that things just keep going is an important message for Putin, for whom maintaining his own health and fitness is probably his greatest concern, especially as he enters his eighth decade.
Frederick Smith
Political correspondent for Russia and the CIS in Moscow.
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It should not be discussed excessively, probably because of the problem of impermanence;
Eight years ago, one of Putin's followers put forward the formula that Russia "is" with Putin but "is not" without him.
The exiled Russian news portal "Medusa" now reported that the Kremlin had not given the regions any specifications for the birthday.
"Medusa" even heard from a regional tour: "Why emphasize that our president has been retired for a long time?"
A week before his birthday, Putin gave himself and Russia four more Ukrainian territories in annexations that none of the international well-wishers, of which the Kremlin says were "numerous," recognize.
In Russia, Patriarch Kirill praised the jubilarian: "A change in the image of Russia, the strengthening of its sovereignty and defense capability, progressive socio-economic development and concern for the well-being of fellow citizens - these are just some of the obvious and indisputable results of many years of joint work by different people Government agencies and public institutions under your leadership,” said the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, the spiritual pillar of Putin's power.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov released a video clip with images of his father Akhmad, who was murdered in 2004, with Putin and of himself with Putin, as well as his promise to carry out “any order” from the supreme commander.
Thanks to Putin, the “collective West”, Kadyrov wrote, must reckon with Russia as “one of the strongest world powers”.
In the Chechen capital of Grozny, where the central Victory Avenue was renamed Putin Avenue in 2008, the day of jubilee was to be celebrated, among other things, with the opening of a judo center - through this sport, Putin met companions in his youth who became fabulously wealthy under his rule accumulated
Putin's military reports "destroyed" soldiers
In Kadyrov's republic, 23 years ago, as prime minister, Putin began an "anti-terrorist operation" and with it his rise to power;
Chechnya plays a special role in Russia, also with regard to money flows from Moscow.
No comparable festivities were announced for other regions;
here, at least in front of state television cameras, people were fully occupied with finding equipment for recruits drafted in the mobilization.
One of Putin's workloads on Friday was a phone call with the Turkish president.
Kremlin says Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Putin;
According to Turkish sources, Erdogan once again suggested that Putin mediate in the matter of Ukraine with a view to finding a solution that "benefits all sides".
However, with the new annexations, Putin has undermined negotiations with Kyiv on issues that go beyond prisoner exchanges and grain exports.