Former US Ambassador: Putin Worries About His Own Safety

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The former US ambassador to Russia said President Vladimir Putin was concerned about his own safety. Photos/Illustrations

WASHINGTON – Former United States (US) ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, says that President Vladimir Putin fears for his own safety because his lifestyle is affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Sullivan was referring to recent reports that said Putin was now living with his girlfriend in a luxury home outside Moscow.

This was disclosed in an interview with the US television station, CNN.

Putin’s lavish lifestyle has been questioned by some, given the heavy sanctions imposed by the West on Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine last February. Some of those sanctions include a ban on Russian oil and removing Russian banks from SWIFT’s international financing messaging system, according to BBC News.

Sullivan said that Putin’s lifestyle was actually influenced by the massive invasion of Ukraine, which restricted his movement for security reasons.

“From what we’ve seen, his lifestyle has been affected in the following sense,” said Sullivan.

“He can’t travel by plane near southwest Russia to reach Sochi, for example, one of his favorite places to go. He can’t get there by plane. He now travels more by train. He’s worried about his own safety. As for the repercussions economics, if the question is more about supporting his luxurious lifestyle, I don’t think that is as much of a concern as concerns about his own safety,” he said as quoted by Newsweek, Sunday (12/3/2023).

Earlier a Russian investigative news site called The Project recently reported, citing unnamed officials, that Putin was living with his girlfriend, former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, in a villa on her estate on Lake Valdai, which is located 400 kilometers northwest. Moscow and spans 13,000 square feet, according to WION News. Kids are also seen near the place.