The public announcement or rather acknowledgement of the separation between the first couple of Russia came as a shock, which raised many eyebrows accordingly. Vladimir Putin has publicly confirmed that he and his wife are leading separate lives. It surprised many because, before this, Putin has always been very much closed mouthed about his personal life and his conjugal affairs. Russia is a very orthodox country and a divorce is almost unthinkable affair. The Russian politics has been preaching and advocating marital bliss for the young and the old alike.
A sudden breach in years of silence has lead to speculations. The couple had gone to watch a ballet performance of ‘La Esmeralda’ in the Kremlin Theater. After the show was over the president was asked about his opinion regarding the performance. He was in a pretty jovial mood and commented with lots of enthusiasm. The representative of Rossiya-24 Television interviewing Putin then asked about his relationship with his wife. The president looked a bit stiff but managed to answer clearly that he and his wife have decided to separate. He told the press that the decision was taken by both of them and his 55 year old wife, Lyudmila Putina had completely consented to the arrangement.
Their marriage used to be an example for the young Russians and the way Putin has always protected his privacy has been exemplary. The sudden confession has come as a shock for the government too because it has been making laws against divorce and separation. The numbers of new born have decreased in Russia over the past few years. The government has been trying to get the young people commit to marriage and raise kids. Now Putin’s separation from wife and the broken marriage of several decades will surely affect the Russian mass psychology.
Good thing is that the two looked quite in sync and completed each other’s sentences. They both seem to be in perfect agreement regarding the separation. Putin told the press that is need of publicity and activities related to publicity has caused the damage in his relationship with his wife. Mrs. Putina is very shy about public appearances and loves to lead a private life away from the press. They have been seeing very little of each other and this has culminated into a break in their relationship.
