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Vladimir Putin self-isolates after covid exposure but has not tested positive, Kremlin says

The Russian president met Monday at the Kremlin with Syria’s Bashar al-Assad

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September 14, 2021 at 8:26 a.m. EDT
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during their meeting in Moscow on Sept. 13. (Mikhael Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will self-isolate after individuals close to him tested positive for the coronavirus.

The news came from the Kremlin in a transcript of a call between Putin and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, where Putin said he will attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, planned later this week in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, virtually instead of in person.

The Kremlin also said Putin is “absolutely healthy” and has so far not tested positive for the coronavirus. The Russian president was vaccinated against the coronavirus in March with his country’s own Sputnik V.

Putin met in person with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin on Monday. Assad said he and his wife recovered from covid-19 in March.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sept. 14 that he was self-isolating after coming in close contact with aides who tested positive for coronavirus. (Video: Reuters)

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