Russian political analyst Stanislav Belkovsky, who left Russia in 2022 and was designated a foreign agent by the Russian Ministry of Justice in 2023, in a conversation with Glavred commented on assumptions about the influence of people close to Vladimir Putin on state decisions. In his opinion, Alina Kabaeva, whom the publication calls the president's "secret wife," does not exert political influence, despite frequent appearances on television.
"They Do Not Influence Decisions"
Belkovsky stated that Putin "traditionally does not allow family members into state affairs." "They can enjoy all the benefits, but they do not influence decisions," said the analyst. He also called the idea of successors meaningless, asserting that Putin "made it clear, especially at the parade in Beijing, that his goal is the prolongation of his own life." According to Belkovsky, the question of successors may arise no earlier than the 2030s.
The analyst recalled that, according to media reports, Putin and Kabaeva have two sons, but they are not considered successors: the children are still small, and the topic of succession is irrelevant because Putin "is not going anywhere."
Family and PR
Belkovsky characterized Putin's physical condition as "moderate anabiosis" and stated that the president "very much distances himself" from events and "definitely will not use family members for his PR." According to the analyst, Kabaeva competes with Putin's daughters for his attention, but this is not related to politics. "I have never believed that Putin's daughters claim to be his successors. Their task is to prolong his life with the help of genetic technologies. And that is enough for him," said Belkovsky.
Children and Security
The publication also cites investigation data on the lives of Putin's sons: they use fake documents, travel on private jets and yachts under FSO guard, live in residences and do not appear in public. A training center for them has been opened in Valdai, with governesses working with the children, and after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, preference began to be given to English teachers from South Africa. Teachers are forbidden to leave the territory of the residence, they do not communicate with parents directly, and they receive instructions from the family's assistants. Kabaeva's cousin Oksana Fedina, according to the investigation, communicates with governesses and nannies, posing as the mother of the boys. The elder son plays hockey, Ivan does artistic gymnastics. Putin has never publicly acknowledged the existence of sons, but said that there are children in his family with whom he communicates.
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