New Russian first lady? President Putin lowers his guard

Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered his guard a fraction about his private life on Thursday, saying he may one day tell the Russian people if he is in a romantic relationship.

Since he divorced his wife Ludmila in 2013, rumours have swirled around Putin. One Russian newspaper report said he was in a relationship with Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast, though Putin rejected the assertion.

During a televised phone-in, an annual event where Putin fields questions from ordinary Russians, one woman asked Putin if he was going to re-marry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles next to Russian gymnast Alina Kabaeva in 2004. (Reuters)

A visibly uncomfortable Putin avoided giving a direct answer, saying he believed Russians were more interested in his performance as president than they were in his private life.

But at the end of his answer, he softened, saying: "Maybe one day I will be able to satisfy your curiosity."

Reuters last month reported that a businessman with ties to associates of Putin had transferred ownership of properties to Alina Kabaeva's sister and grandmother.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.