Putin re-appears in public after 10-day absence: AFP

SAINT PETERSBURG: President Vladimir Putin on Monday reappeared in public after an unusually long 10-day absence that unleashed frenzied speculation about the whereabouts and health of the Russian strongman.

Looking somewhat pale, Putin shook hands with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev at the start of a meeting at the sumptuous Konstantinov's Palace just outside Saint Petersburg, an AFP correspondent reported.