AGF Logo
  • Home
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Français
  • AGF.com
Skip to content
AGF logo
Insights and Market Perspectives
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Contributors
  • Français
  • Search
Search
Close
Morning Bullets Health Rumors Swirl Around Vladimir Putin

  • Industry and Expert Views

For Print Only Logo
Insights and Market Perspectives

Morning Bullets Health Rumors Swirl Around Vladimir Putin

Author: Greg Valliere

December 13, 2022

VLADIMIR PUTIN CHICKENS OUT: The Russian dictator usually holds a marathon press conference just before Christmas, but it got cancelled yesterday. The conventional wisdom is that Putin didn’t want to defend the disastrous war in Ukraine, but suspicion immediately turned to his health.

RUMORS ARE SWIRLING around Putin, who quite clearly has appeared unsteady and swollen in recent days. The New York Post and Newsweek are reporting that he needs surgery for an intestinal illness; Russian officials have issued denials.

THE MORE LIKELY EXCUSE for cancelling the annual press conference is that the war continues to go poorly — Ukrainian air strikes over the weekend killed dozens of the feared “Wagner group” mercenaries who are fighting for Russia.

IF PUTIN REALLY IS SICK, his puppet successor — Russia’s obscure tax collector, Mikhail Mishustin –, is his hand-picked successor. But former President Dmitry Medvedev would quickly enter the picture.

WHOEVER SUCCEEDS PUTIN would have an opportunity, most experts believe, to seek an exit ramp. Medvedev is a hawk but would have an opportunity to negotiate an end of the disastrous war, which has killed at least 50,000 Russian troops, crippled the country’s economy and driven thousands of young Russians to cities like Helsinki and Istanbul. A press conference would simply highlight the extent of this disaster.

UKRAINE, MEANWHILE, WAS GIVEN FIRM ASSURANCES yesterday of more aid from G-7 countries, with more pledges expected today. Putin was counting on dissension in Kyiv and the West as long, cold winter approaches, but the Ukrainian people and the West will not waver.
* * * * *
DAYS TO GO ON BUDGET DEAL: As expected, Chuck Schumer announced yesterday that still another extension — called a continuing resolution — will be necessary ahead of this Friday’s deadline. Without a budget by then, the government theoretically could shut down.

BUT THAT WON’T HAPPEN, SINCE SCHUMER HAS THE VOTES to extend the deadline until Friday Dec. 23 — the beginning of Christmas weekend. This has angered members of both parties, who had planned to spend time with their families during the holidays.

BUT THE DEMOCRATS think they’re getting closer to passage of a massive “omnibus” package that could include a revived child tax credit, corporate tax breaks and dozens more holiday gifts. A Pentagon funding bill, plus aid to Ukraine, may be stripped out of this mess and enacted separately by early next week.


The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of AGF, its subsidiaries or any of its affiliated companies, funds or investment strategies.

The views expressed in this blog are provided as a general source of information based on information available as of the date of publication and should not be considered as personal investment advice or an offer or solicitation to buy and/or sell securities. Speculation or stated believes about future events, such as market or economic conditions, company or security performance, or other projections represent the beliefs of the author and do not necessarily represent the view of AGF, its subsidiaries or any of its affiliated companies, funds or investment strategies. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in these commentaries at the time of publication; however, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Market conditions may change and AGF accepts no responsibility for individual investment decisions arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained herein. Any financial projections are based on the opinions of the author and should not be considered as a forecast. The forward looking statements and opinions may be affected by changing economic circumstances and are subject to a number of uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward looking statements. The information contained in this commentary is designed to provide you with general information related to the political and economic environment in the United States. It is not intended to be comprehensive investment advice applicable to the circumstances of the individual.

AGF Investments is a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. The subsidiaries included in AGF Investments are AGF Investments Inc. (AGFI), AGF Investments America Inc. (AGFA), AGF Investments LLC (AGFUS) and AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA). AGFA and AGFUS are registered advisors in the U.S. AGFI is a registered as a portfolio manager across Canadian securities commissions. AGFIA is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and registered with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. The subsidiaries that form AGF Investments manage a variety of mandates comprised of equity, fixed income and balanced assets.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. AGF brings a disciplined approach to delivering excellence in investment management through its fundamental, quantitative, alternative and high-net-worth businesses focused on providing an exceptional client experience. AGF’s suite of investment solutions extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and individual investors to institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds and endowments and foundations.

For further information, please visit AGF.com.

©2023 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

Written by

Greg Valliere

Greg Valliere

Chief U.S. Policy Strategist

AGF Investments

Also Read

  • Investing and Market Views

Downshifting Equities to Neutral

January 17, 2023

  • Investing and Market Views

An Alternative(s) Take on the New Year

January 13, 2023

  • Investing and Market Views

Yes, Markets Are Oversold. But Investors Still Need to Be Cautious

November 24, 2022

  • Investing and Market Views

Are Investors Through the Worst of It Yet?

November 16, 2022

Get perspectives straight to your inbox.

Subscribe now

More articles like this

Greg Valliere, Chief U.S. Policy Strategist

  • Industry and Expert Views

U.S. Relations With China Hit Rock Bottom; How Donald Trump Could Rip the GOP Apart

Greg Valliere | February 3, 2023

Timely insights from inside Washington.

Read More
Greg Valliere, Chief U.S. Policy Strategist

  • Industry and Expert Views

Long Slog Looms on Budget Deal — Despite Yesterday’s Happy Talk

Greg Valliere | February 2, 2023

Timely insights from inside Washington.

Read More
Greg Valliere, Chief U.S. Policy Strategist

  • Industry and Expert Views

Can Biden and McCarthy Agree on Anything Today?

Greg Valliere | February 1, 2023

Timely insights from inside Washington.

Read More
AGF Logo
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
Follow AGF

AGF Web Site Pages © 2023 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy
  • AGF.com