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Reports in the US claiming that Vladimir Putin may have cancer were rubbished today by his spokesman.

The Russian President’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said: “Dream on – and curse their tongues. Everything is normal.”

The furious denial from the Kremlin was in response to claims in the New York Post that sources had revealed Mr Putin, 62, had pancreatic cancer.

It is one of the most deadly forms of the disease.

Last week’s report by Richard Johnson said: “Putin was allegedly being treated by a doctor from the old East Germany.

“The doc had been trying various treatments, including steroid shots, which would explain Putin’s puffy appearance.

"But I’m told the physician quit recently, confiding that he was mistreated by Putin’s security detail.”

Despite the rumours about the President’s health, he has been maintaining his busy schedule.

Last week he made a keynote speech in Sochi, slamming US foreign policy.