Putin endorses Kadyrov's son amid health rumours of Chechen leader

The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for over two years. During this period, several changes have occurred in the country governed by Vladimir Putin, particularly affecting diplomatic relations with other leaders. One such figure is Ramzan Kadyrov, who has ruled Chechnya for years.

Relations between Putin and Kadyrov were already very strong before the war. However, the conflict in Ukraine significantly increased the Chechen leader's independence. The Kremlin has also focused on further strengthening this relationship.

Upcoming months may bring significant changes. In Russia, rumours of Kadyrov’s serious illness persist. He is said to be suffering from a fatal condition, which is weakening his position. Consequently, there are discussions about a potential successor to the Chechen leader.

A recent meeting with Vladimir Putin heightened rumours about a possible change in Chechnya's leader. Under the watchful eyes of cameras and photographers, he met with Kadyrov's 17-year-old son, Ali. It’s no secret that both men have met several times before.

This time, the meeting was due to Vladimir Putin’s desire to congratulate the 17-year-old, who will soon get married. Experts point out that such an unusual meeting underscores Kadyrov’s surprisingly strong position in Russia in recent months.

What’s interesting are the speculations that this meeting might serve to anoint Ramzan Kadyrov’s successor. This would make sense, as it is not the first time the son of the current Chechen leader has appeared before Putin as a representative of his region. Moreover, this continues the inheritance of the Chechen "throne," which Ramzan took over from his father, Akhmad.