THE TELEGRAPH: He is the president of a resurgent superpower. She is a rhythmic gymnast less than half his age.
Now all Moscow is ablaze with rumours that Vladimir Putin, 56, and the flexible 24-year-old Alina Kabaeva have decided to tie the knot.
The whispers of romance are particularly scurrilous because Mr Putin has not officially announced any separation from his 50-year-old wife, Ludmilla.
But the former KGB spy, known for keeping his private life as far out of the spotlight as his former career, is reported to have split from her two months ago.
Rumours of Mr Putin's courtship of the rhythmic gymnast champion and model, who is now a member of the Russian parliament, have been circulating unofficially for some time.
But only now has a Russian newspaper dared to print the gossip, citing a party planner in St Petersburg who claimed to be bidding to organise the couple's lavish wedding reception. Vladimir Putin 'to wed Olympic gymnast half his age' >>> By Harry de Quetteville | April 17, 2008
SABAH:
Putin's Future Father-in-Law Is Muslim >>> | April 18, 2008
THE TELEGRAPH:
Vladimir Putin denies 'erotic fantasy' reports of marriage to Alina Kabaeva: ”The question was put to the Russian president by Natalia Melikova, of the Russian daily Nezavsinkya Gazeta. The ferocity of his response might not have been what she had expected. Mr Berlusconi's rejoinder was simply to point at Melikova in an imitation of firing at her. The journalist was reportedly reduced to tears.” >>> From Nick Pisa in Rome | April 18, 2008
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback - UK)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback - UK)
