Putin seems to doze when Ukraine athletes enter during Winter Olympics opening ceremony, social media buzzes

Social media users are speculating as to whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had fallen asleep during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing after he was seen on camera with his eyes closed.

Putin could be seen on camera during NBC’s broadcast of the winter games sitting by himself and appearing to briefly doze off according to some onlookers.

DAUGHTER OF IMPRISONED UYGHUR SCHOLAR CONCERNED CHINA USING OLYMPICS AS A PROPAGANDA TOOL

SEN. BLACKBURN SLAMS PELOSI FOR ‘UNSEEMLY’ ADVICE TO US ATHLETES AT BEIJING OLYMPICS

BEIJING, CHINA – JANUARY 27: Ice Resurfacing Machine ice cleaning machines prepare the surface at the Capital Indoor Stadium on January 27, 2022 in Beijing, China. Beijing is preparing for the 2022 Winter Olympics which start on February 4th. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Putin is the highest-profile guest at the Beijing Games following the decision by the U.S., Britain, and others not to send officials in protest of China’s human rights abuses and its treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.

Putin praised “unprecedented” close relations with China, in his opening remarks to Xi carried by Russian television.

Relations “are developing in a progressive way with a spirit of friendship and strategic partnership,” Putin said. “They have indeed become unprecedented.”

Associated Press contributed to this report