President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila told Russia said on Thursday, ending their 30 years of marriage, and confirmed the long-standing speculation that they had separated.
In the rare appearance on national television, Putin asked if they no longer live together, replied: "This is the real rumor."
Notice to delete the president's private life is getting touted traditional values ??and conservative advocates of the Russian Orthodox Church as a moral authority of a big question mark.
In politics, Putin may have been calculated, it is better to see a clean separation in fact, than many Russians have long suspected of hiding the truth or living a secret second life.
Couple nervous, because they stood aside while in the Kremlin, a lone reporter said. They refer to each other's name and patronymic, officially joined the respected, but uncomfortable to touch.
Putin smiled and nodded woodenly as Lyudmila speak, although they have made the announcement appeared more relaxed.
Former flight attendant Lyudmila, five years younger than the 60-year-old president, said that it is "our common decision."
"Our marriage is over the fact that we could barely see each other," she said. Putin also said that it had "jointly decided."
Putin in 1983, married and had two daughters, both in their 20s. Announced 13 months, to a third term as president, Putin in 2000, who came to power, does not rule out seeking re-election in 2018.
Only a few couples, and sometimes even embarrassing appearances in recent years, prompting media speculation that they had secretly divorced.
In 2008, Putin said there is no reason, a newspaper reported that he was ready to marry Olympic gymnast Alina Kabayeva arts, who was born the same year, he married Lyudmila.
Putin told reporters, in order to keep their "snotty noses" out of his private life, the newspaper folded soon after. Kabayeva dismissed speculation that she had a child by Putin.
"DONE her transformation."
Most of the Soviet Union and the Russian first lady had a low profile, but Lyudmila Putin has in recent years almost invisible, there has been speculation she has moved into a monastery.
In January this year, the Russian Orthodox Christmas and Easter in May, Putin attend midnight church service television and Lyudmila.
Putin's speech Houluoxiya -24 TV attend a ballet performance at the Kremlin, at first appeared to be a phased effort to prove they are still together.
After about the length ballet to answer questions, Putin asked about their separation rumors.
"It's true All my activities and public affairs ...... Some people are totally inconsistent with it," Putin said. He added that a chuckle: "Lyudmila Alexandrovna had done her shift."
Lyudmila said: "Vladimir Vladimirovich completely submerged in his work, our children have grown up, each of them live their own lives ...... I really do not like publicity. "
Putin added: "Lyudmila Alexandrovna, I will always maintain close contact - forever, I'm sure."
Neither clarify their marriage is legally dissolved, although Lyudmila said it was a "civilized divorce." Putin's spokesman said he did not know.
"They separated a long time ago," Dmitry Peskov said that. "I do not know if the divorce has been formalized, but I can confirm that we are talking about a civilized divorce."
Putin about his family taboo issues, jealously guarding about his daughter, which is highly unlikely, reporters asked questions without prompting. After initial remarks broadcast on prime time, after 9:30 pm
It is widely believed, though estranged couple, the unexpected admission set off a wave of comments on the internet, a prominent platform for criticism of Putin, in a state of mainstream broadcast media controlled by the state.
"It is time for the entire country with his divorce, a group called honest elections, using social networking sites to help organize protest Putin said:" In its Twitter feed.
Soviet and Russian leaders are faced with little scrutiny of their family life, divorce is an indisputable fact. In 2011, about 1.3 million Russian couple have been married nearly 670,000 divorces, according to government figures.
Good move?
Anna, 26-year-old Moscow man only gave her name, Putin praised as "good move."
"When (former French President Nicolas) Sarkozy announced that he was divorced, I would say to myself, 'It would be impossible in this country." Now let's see what happens. "
However, she believes, will be in the provinces in support of Putin's main base is located did not play well.
"I'm worried about his ratings will drop further," she said, Putin's approval rating fell to 62 percent in January 12-year low, according to the independent Levada Center, but then rose slightly.
, Prominent opposition politicians and led a series of protests Putin and the ruling party in the past 18 months, Nemtsov said he does not believe in time out of political considerations.
"I do not know why they are announced, you'd better ask them, I can only say that all the time, even if lying is Putin's tradition, found the courage to announce his divorce the fact that he is an honest deed, nem Niyazov said. "
"They have not lived together for a long time, and everyone knows it, it is pleasant, when someone acts like an honest man, although he may be your political opponents."
 
 



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