The notion that Putin has been not seen in public because he is acting erratic - was just dispelled by a commentator on the newsarticle's website that linked to Putin having another of his 2 hour plus marathon question and answer sessions and Putin seemed like always - in command of the facts (as he sees them), witty by Russian standards and no crazy man facial ticks I can see.
This article itself by the State Dept's info wing (aka propaganda) actually sounds like the crappy and easily laughed at old Soviet propaganda they used to put out about western leaders, etc. probably because this article was contracted out by the State Dept to old Soviet era hacks and that is all they know.