<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday denied speculation that President Vladimir Putin was ill, saying there were no signs pointing to any ailment.</p>.<p>Putin's health and private life are taboo subjects in Russia, and are almost never discussed in public.</p>.<p>Answering a question from France's broadcaster TF1, Russia's top diplomat said: "I don't think that sane people can see in this person signs of some kind of illness or ailment."</p>.<p>Lavrov said that Putin, who will turn 70 in October, appeared in public "every day".</p>.<p>"You can watch him on screens, read and listen to his speeches," Lavrov said in comments released by the Russian foreign ministry.</p>.<p>"I leave it to the conscience of those who spread such rumours."</p>.<p>Putin, who has been in power in Russia for more than two decades, sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, sending shock waves around the world.</p>.<p>Moscow's offensive has killed thousands of people, sparked the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II and led to unprecedented Western sanctions against Moscow.</p>
<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday denied speculation that President Vladimir Putin was ill, saying there were no signs pointing to any ailment.</p>.<p>Putin's health and private life are taboo subjects in Russia, and are almost never discussed in public.</p>.<p>Answering a question from France's broadcaster TF1, Russia's top diplomat said: "I don't think that sane people can see in this person signs of some kind of illness or ailment."</p>.<p>Lavrov said that Putin, who will turn 70 in October, appeared in public "every day".</p>.<p>"You can watch him on screens, read and listen to his speeches," Lavrov said in comments released by the Russian foreign ministry.</p>.<p>"I leave it to the conscience of those who spread such rumours."</p>.<p>Putin, who has been in power in Russia for more than two decades, sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, sending shock waves around the world.</p>.<p>Moscow's offensive has killed thousands of people, sparked the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II and led to unprecedented Western sanctions against Moscow.</p>