russ041908

A new side of Putin: Lady's man?

Perhaps it was the setting -- one of Italy's most romantic resorts. Or the company -- Italy's famously flirtatious premier. But Vladimir Putin, 55, showed another side Friday, laughing off questions about an affair with gymnast Alina Kabayeva, 24.

Last update: April 19, 2008 - 12:07 AM

PORTO ROTONDO, SARDINIA - Perhaps it was the setting -- one of Italy's most romantic resorts. Or the company -- Italy's famously flirtatious premier.

But Vladimir Putin, 55, showed another side Friday, laughing off questions about an affair with gymnast Alina Kabayeva, 24. While Putin denied the rumors, he seemed to delight in projecting a new image: Lady's man.

The news conference at Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi's Sardinian villa started with the standard political fare. But then a Kremlin journalist asked Putin about tabloid reports that he had divorced his wife, Lyudmila, and planned to marry Olympic gold medalist Kabayeva, a member of the lower house of parliament.

While Putin's denial was categorical -- "Not a single word of truth" -- he embarked on a gushing paean to women. "In other publications of the same type, the names of other successful, beautiful young women from Russia are mentioned," he said. "I think it won't be unexpected if I say that I like them all." Russian women, he said, are "the most talented and beautiful" in the world. "If anyone can compete, it may be only Italian women."

At that, Berlusconi laughed and the reporters cheered.

ASSOCIATED PRESS