The Mystery behind Russia’s Secret First Lady
Who is Putin’s ‘Girlfriend’ Alina Kabaeva, who is called ‘Russia’s ‘Secret First Lady’
Several unexpected sanctions have already been imposed on Russia due to the attack on Ukraine. And now the European Union may also target Alina Kabaeva, the “girlfriend” of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the mother of some of his children.
Some sources have confirmed in a conversation with the BBC that he is also on the latest list approved by the European Union for sanctions.
AFP news agency reported that Kabaeva would be targeted for promoting the Kremlin’s stance and for being “closely linked” with President Putin. However, she is not recorded in the draft document as Putin’s accomplice. Also, the European Union has not yet officially signed this resolution.
Before becoming the boss of politicians and media organizations, Alina Kabaeva has been a well-known gymnast of the world. Kabaeva, who won the gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, has also won many medals in many big tournaments of the world.
Despite being an ally of Putin, Kabaeva has so far escaped sanctions for several reasons. Although they must have also realized that soon they may also be banned. In March, in an online campaign, there was a demand to remove him from his home in Switzerland.
Many countries and institutions, including the European Union, have already imposed several sanctions to punish close associates of Vladimir Putin. It is said that due to Putin’s closeness, many oligarchs, politicians and officials have benefited.
The United States and Britain last month imposed sanctions on President Putin’s daughter Maria Vorontsova, 36, and Katerina Tikhonova, 35. They are both born to Putin’s ex-wife Lyudmila.
President Putin has always hidden this relationship. Whenever he was asked about his personal life, he avoided it. However, he has never denied his relationship with Kabaeva.
What else is known about Kabaeva?
A few weeks ago, The Wall Street Journal reported that the US was preparing to ban Putin’s alleged “girlfriend” and former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, but it was not done at the last minute.
The reason behind this was given that Putin may consider it a personal attack and it may set ablaze efforts to restore peace.
However, White House press secretary Jen Psaki has previously dismissed claims that the US deliberately did not sanction Russian President Putin’s alleged girlfriend.
When asked why Russia’s former leader and gymnast Alina Kabaeva has not been acted upon, Saki said, “We are constantly reviewing the sanctions.”
Who is Alina Kabaeva?
Alina Kabaeva, who is called Russia’s ‘Secret First Lady’, believes, “Every family has a story of war, and we should not forget those stories but tell it to our next generation.”
She has been a gymnast and has also won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics. He made his debut at the age of 13 and won his first world title (rope) in 1998.
After this, he also got many medals in the European Championships in 2001 and 2002. In 2003 too, he won many world titles. She is also implicated in doping case. However, they did not have to bear the big brunt of it.
After the year 2005, she gradually entered politics and her name started being associated with Putin. She has also been elected to the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, representing the United Russia party. In 2014, she was also one of the players to carry the torch in the Sochi Olympics.
She has been a gymnast and has also won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics. He made his debut at the age of 13 and won his first world title (rope) in 1998.
After this, he also got many medals in the European Championships in 2001 and 2002. In 2003 too, he won many world titles. She is also implicated in doping case. However, they did not have to bear the big brunt of it.
After the year 2005, she gradually entered politics and her name started being associated with Putin. She has also been elected to the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, representing the United Russia party. In 2014, she was also one of the players to carry the torch in the Sochi Olympics.
Alina also heads the Kremlin-backed media group ‘The National Media Group’, but her name was pulled from the website in April in view of Western sanctions, reported The Moscow Times.
The Moscow Times also reported that officials in Switzerland, the US and Europe told the Wall Street Journal that in 2015, Alina had gone to Switzerland to give birth. Subsequently, in 2019, she reportedly gave birth to twins in Moscow. However, Putin never confirmed this.
‘Alina Festival’ in Moscow amid headlines
According to the report of ‘The Moscow Times’, Alina appeared at the ‘Alina Festival’ in the Russian capital on Saturday last week. She had come there for such a ‘Gymnast Exhibition’, which is to be broadcast on the occasion of ‘Victory Day’ of Russia in May.
During this, he said, “Every family has a story of war, and we should not forget those stories but tell it to our next generation.”
On this occasion, he said about the criticism of Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the ban on Russian gymnasts, judges and coaches from international competitions, “We will only win from this.”
According to the news of ‘Daily Mail’, after Alina’s participation in this program, the reports that it was being said that she was hiding in a bunker in Switzerland or Siberia.
Hundreds of children participated in this program and during this ‘Z’ symbol was also shown which has become a symbol of support for Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
