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Press secretary refuses to discuss possibility of Putin’s marriage

On Monday, some media reported Putin’s ex-wife had married again

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov Yuri Mashkov/TASS

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© Yuri Mashkov/TASS

MOSCOW, January 26. /TASS/. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refused to discuss President Vladimir Putin’s private life. Asked by the media if the head of state had any marital plans, Peskov said, "I’m not going to violate traditions and discuss the president’s private life. We’ve never done that. Nor shall we do it in the future."

On Monday, some on-line media resources carried reports Putin’s ex-wife, Lyudmila, had married again. Asked to deny or confirm that Peskov refused.

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"Lyudmila Aleksandrovna is Putin’s former wife. Vladimir Vladimirovich and Lyudmila Aleksandrovna are divorced. Naturally, in this case I am not in the position to say anything about Lyudmila or her private life," Peskov said.

Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila Putina in June 2013 declared their 30-year-long marriage was over. Several months later Peskov confirmed to TASS the divorce had been formalized officially.

In June 2013 Peskov described as "rumors and gossip" speculations Putin might get married again. He also said that Putin’s divorce with his wife was in no way related with a relationship with some other lady.

"Even an inexperienced outsider’s glance cast at Putin’s working schedule is enough to realize that his life is in no way related with some family bonds. It is related entirely with the responsibility he bears as the head of state," Peskov said.

During the hot-line question-and-answer session on April 17, 2014 Putin avoided offering a direct answer to the question about his private life, namely, if and when the nation would learn the name of the new first lady.

"I’ve got to see to it first my ex-wife, Lyudmila, gets married again. Then I may start making my own plans," Putin said with a smile.

And at the annual news conference in December 2014 Putin told the media that his private life was in order.

"Everything is OK, don’t you worry," he said. Also Putin said that Lyudmila and he retained a kind and friendly relationship and they saw each other regularly.

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