Moscow, Jun 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila announced Thursday on national television that their marriage was over, ending years of media speculation about the couple's relationship.
They have been married for under 30 years.
"Yes, you could say this is a civilised divorce," Lyudmila said in response to a journalist's question, following the Putins' joint outing to a ballet performance - the first time they had been seen in public since the president's inauguration in May 2012.
Both Putins said the reason for their split was the president's work, which consumes most of his time and requires a very public lifestyle.