In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin interacts with local residents during his visit to the Novosibirsk region on August 11, 2026. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with local residents during his visit to the Novosibirsk region on August 11, 2026. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with local residents during his visit to the Novosibirsk region on August 11, 2026. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Council for Science and Education in the Novosibirsk region on August 11, 2026. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Council for Science and Education in the Novosibirsk region on August 11, 2026. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Council for Science and Education in the Novosibirsk region on August 11, 2026. (Photo by Kristina Solovyova / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Council for Science and Education in the Novosibirsk region on August 11, 2026. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Council for Science and Education in the Novosibirsk region on August 11, 2026. (Photo by Kristina Solovyova / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)