Putin self-isolating due to Covid-19 cases within his inner circle

Russian President Vladimir Putin is self-isolating after people in his "inner circle" tested positive for coronavirus, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

Putin, 68, will not hold face-to-face meetings for the time being as a precautionary measure to protect others, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who called Putin "absolutely healthy."

The Kremlin did not provide details on who in Putin's circle had tested positive, nor how long the president would stay in isolation.

Russia's TASS news agency reported that Peskov was asked by a reporter if Putin had undergone a coronavirus test and if the result was negative.

Peskov responded: "Certainly."

Meeting with Bashar al-Assad

Putin had conducted talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad late on Monday in Moscow.

Before that he had met with Russian Paralympians who had medalled at the Tokyo Games.

The Russian leader said he was vaccinated against the coronavirus this spring using Russia's Sputnik V jab.