Putin says his daughters studying in Russia, never lived abroad

| 12/18/2015 12:00:00 AM

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin, in a rare comment on his family life, said on Thursday his two adult daughters were studying in Russia and have never lived permanently abroad.

`They say and it`s true that they live in Russia and have never left to live anywhere permanently,` Putin said at his annual press conference, when asked to comment about his daughters` whereabouts and occupations.

`They were educated only in Russia, they have only studled in Russian universities,` he said `I am proud of them. They are studying and working,` he said, adding they were fluent in three European languages.

The languages were not identified.

Putin`s daughters, Maria and Katerina, born in 1985 and 1986 respectively according to his official biography, are kept away from the limelight and the Russian president rarely discusses his personal life.

`They are taking their first steps in their careers and achieving good results,` Putin said of his daughters, adding that they did not work in business or politics.

Putin did not confirm nor deny reports saying his daughter Katerina is running a prestigious project at Moscow State University.

`I have never discussed where exactly my daughters` work, what they do, and will not do so for many reasons, including security,` the Russian president said.

Putin has maintained a veil of secrecy over his personal life, especially since he and his wife of 30 years, Lyudmila, divorced in 2013.-AFP

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