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Putin says ‘he is loved and loves in return’
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] President Vladimir Putin let slip during his annual news conference Thursday that he "loves" and is loved in return, but refused to reveal the identity of his mystery partner.

A young female journalist from a provincial television channel put the question to Putin, saying that "the friends of my aunt" had all badgered her to find out the relationship status of "Russia's top bachelor".

"Give a big hello to your aunt's friends, thanks for such attention," Putin said smoothly, before going into a long spiel about mortgages.

But he then returned to his love life, bizarrely recounting a conversation he had with a friend he described only as a top boss in Europe.

-- "Listen, do you have a love?" the friend asked.

-- "In what way?" Putin responded.

-- "Well do you love someone?"

-- "Well yes."

-- "And does someone love you?"

-- "Yes."

-- "Well thank God."

The friend was so pleased at the news that he "downed a vodka," Putin said.

The Russian leader refused to give any more details, only reassuring his supporters: "Everything is in order. Don't worry."

Putin has been linked to Alina Kabayeva, a former Olympic rhythmic gymnast 31 years his junior who until recently was an MP in Russia's ruling party.
Posted by: Fred 2014-12-20
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=406596