Russian President Vladimir Putin displayed his well-known inability to cry in public during the funeral of Sergei Ivanov, a former defence minister and longtime ally who died at age 73 last week after a reported long-term illness. Ivanov's death came just months after Putin sacked him from his government role.
Ivanov's Death and Putin's Condolences
Ivanov served as honorary president of the Russian VTB United League basketball organisation, which confirmed his passing without disclosing the cause. The Kremlin acknowledged his death, and Putin issued a statement expressing “deep condolences” to Ivanov’s family and friends. The statement read: “Vladimir Putin expressed his deep condolences to the family and friends of Sergei Ivanov upon his passing. I understand with all my heart what a bitter, irreparable loss this is.”
It continued: “He was a man devoted to Russia who did a great deal for our country’s development and the strengthening of its sovereignty. His knowledge, experience, and energy were consistently in demand for complex and critical tasks. In every role and at every government post, he distinguished himself as an active, competent leader and a thoroughly reliable, decent man. Sergei Borisovich Ivanov was respected by colleagues, associates, and friends – by everyone who knew him and had the opportunity to work alongside him. That is how he will remain in our memory.”
Funeral Images Show Putin Struggling to Show Emotion
Images from the funeral, held this week, show Putin engaging in silent reflection beside the coffin, appearing to try to look sad and mournful. However, observers noted he seemed unable to produce tears. The exiled news outlet Meduza reported that Ivanov was rumoured to have been suffering from a severe, long-term illness.
Putin Quickly Returns to Kremlin Business
Just hours after the funeral, Putin changed out of his funeral suit and held a meeting at the Kremlin with Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein. A Kremlin spokesman said: “Alexander Khinshtein pointed out that this robust performance primarily resulted from the selfless and heroic way agricultural producers did their hard work. It is not uncommon for people to put their lives in harm’s way when working in the fields for the sake of ensuring national food security. There is not a single sector within the regional economy where people did not demonstrate that they were up to the task, the Governor said.”
The swift return to routine business highlighted the contrast between Putin's public mourning and his political schedule. Ivanov had been a close ally for decades, serving as defence minister from 2001 to 2007 and later as Kremlin chief of staff, before being dismissed from his last government post earlier this year.
