Mr Shoigu, who is believed by some to have been removed due to ill health or disagreements over the war in Ukraine, read his brief address to Putin on a piece of paper.
Anders Aslund, a Swedish economist and former adviser to Russia and Ukraine, said videos of the meeting showed both Russians “depressed and seemingly in poor health”.
“Shoigu must read his comments on Putin and throw in the evil, which suggests that rumors of a heart attack are likely. He is sitting badly. Poor performance, “he added.
Speculation about Putin’s health has intensified since his decision to invade Ukraine.
His remarkably swollen face and neck have led to speculation that he may be on steroid treatment, while there have been reports that he has been visited by cancer doctors at least 35 times.
Others attribute Putin’s diminished appearance to his military failures in Ukraine after failing to take the capital Kyiv within days, as planned.
In what is seen as an attempt to boast at least one victory, he said on Thursday that his troops had taken Mariupol after nearly two months of siege.
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