14 DAY TRIAL // Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila have finally addressed rumors that they had been living separate lives for months, the other night, on state television, after a date at the ballet.
They confirmed the rumors, but neither said anything about the other reports, which claim that Mr. Putin is living the high life with various female companions.
Video of their rather awkward but clearly staged joint statement is embedded below.
“Yes, that’s true,” Mr. Putin said when asked if they had separated.
He continued to say that the reason for the split was his public life, which had driven them apart. Mrs. Putina nodded in agreement.
“Everything I do is connected with the public sphere. Some people like that, some people don’t. There are some people who are completely incompatible with that,” Mr. Putin said, glancing at his wife.
“Lyudmila Alexandrovna maintained an eight-year watch, nine years even. In short, it’s a joint decision,” the Russian President continued.
“Vladimir Vladimirovich is completely immersed in his work. Our children have grown up. It has turned out that each person is living their separate life. And I genuinely don’t like the publicity, the flights are tough for me and we practically don’t see each other,” she chimed in.
After the confirmation was out, both seemed more comfortable in front of the camera. They insisted that the divorce was a “civilized” one, in which neither party leaves slamming the door.
Putin said he’d always love Lyudmila and that they would strive to remain on good terms for the sake of their children.
She nodded in agreement.
Putin married Lyudmila on July 28, 1983, but they had not been seen together in public since last May, at his inauguration as President for the third term.
This was also when the rumors that they had split started to pick up speed.
