Unexpected headlines-- AP--The new side of Russia's Vladimir Putin: a lady's man?

[Lobster Martini]

(LM: This is from the Associated Press.)

The new side of Russia's Vladimir Putin: a lady's man?

…the normally stern Vladimir Putin showed the world another side of his character Friday, laughing off questions about an extramarital affair with a champion gymnast. While Putin denied the rumors, he seemed to delight in projecting a new image to the world: lady's man.

The news conference that followed meetings at Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi's lavish Sardinian villa started off with standard political fare: toasts to bilateral ties, talk of business deals.

Things took a racy turn when a Kremlin journalist asked the Russian president about tabloid reports he had divorced his wife and intended to marry a gymnast less than half his age.

While Putin's denial was categorical — "Not a single word of truth" — he proceeded to embark on a gushing paean to the fairer sex.

"In other publications of the same type, the names of other successful, beautiful young women from Russia are mentioned," Putin began. "I think it won't be unexpected if I say that I like them all — just as I like all Russian women."

Russian women, he declared, are "the most talented and beautiful" in the world.

"If anyone can compete, it may be only Italian women," Putin said.

(LM: Ever been to Ireland, Vlad?)

<snip>

(LM: I just like this line:)

"I have always had a negative opinion of those who, with their snotty noses and their erotic fantasies, meddle in other people's lives," he (Putin) said…

(Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080418/ap_on_re_eu/putin_women;_ylt=AnUT2h09ZY0NqOhCDQZ.dZCs0NUE)

[Yael]

1. *shiver*

Bad visual.

[Lobster Martini]

2. I can't picture Vladimir Putin with a 24 year-old gymnast...mind you, I don't want to...

Boris Yeltsin and a 24 year old gymnast...nah, I don't want to think about that either...