Over the weekend, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who serves as vice chair on the Senate Intelligence Committee, warned that “something is off” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I wish I could share more, but for now I can say it’s pretty obvious to many that something is off with #Putin,” Rubio posted on Twitter. “He has always been a killer, but his problem now is different & significant. It would be a mistake to assume this Putin would react the same way he would have 5 years ago.”
I wish I could share more,but for now I can say it’s pretty obvious to many that something is off with #Putin
He has always been a killer,but his problem now is different & significant
It would be a mistake to assume this Putin would react the same way he would have 5 years ago
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 26, 2022
Other leaders have also questioned Putin’s mental health. For example, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Fox News Sunday that Putin’s recent behavior is “erratic.”
“I met with him many times, and this is a different Putin,” she said. “He was always calculating and cold, but this is different. He seems erratic. There is an ever deepening, delusional rendering of history.”
Former Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper made similar comments about Putin’s mental wellbeing during an appearance on CNN over the weekend.
“I personally think he’s unhinged,” Clapper said. “I worry about his acuity and balance.”
The news comes as Putin continues to push forward with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Sunday, Putin placed his nuclear forces on high alert, radically escalating the tensions between Russia and the West.
“Citing ‘aggressive statements’ by NATO and tough financial sanctions, Putin issued a directive to increase the readiness of Russia’s nuclear weapons, raising fears that the invasion of Ukraine could lead to nuclear war, whether by design or mistake,” AP News reported. “Putin’s directive came as Russian forces encountered strong resistance from Ukraine defenders. Moscow has so far failed to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace, despite advances across the country. U.S. officials say they believe the invasion has been more difficult, and slower, than the Kremlin envisioned, though that could change as Moscow adapts.”
