"US Pushes Sanctions on Putin's Girlfriend, Then 'Pauses'"

by Cho Seulkina

Published 25 Apr.2022 05:11(KST)

Updated 09 Mar.2023 12:28(KST)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Reports have emerged that the Biden administration in the United States had considered sanctioning Vladimir Putin's partner as part of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, but ultimately held off at the last minute.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 24th (local time), citing U.S. officials, that the Treasury Department had prepared a sanctions package targeting Alina Kabayeva (39), a former Olympic rhythmic gymnastics gold medalist, who is known as Putin's unofficial partner.

U.S. officials believe Kabayeva has played a role in hiding President Putin's personal assets overseas. However, concerns were raised that sanctioning Kabayeva could be seen as a personal attack on President Putin and might further escalate tensions between the two countries, leading to her exclusion from the final sanctions. Nevertheless, U.S. officials confirmed that sanctions against Kabayeva have not been completely removed from the table.

Alina Kabaeva

Rumors about President Putin and Kabayeva first surfaced in 2008. Kabayeva, who holds two Olympic medals, 14 World Championship medals, and 21 European Championship medals, is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of rhythmic gymnastics. After retiring from gymnastics, she entered parliament as a member of the ruling party. At that time, she drafted the "Dima Yakovlev Law," which created a blacklist of Americans deemed harmful to Russians, imposing sanctions such as banning their entry into Russia and prohibiting the adoption of Russian children. After stepping down from her parliamentary position in 2014, she became president of the Russian New Media Group, which owns pro-government TV, radio, and newspapers, earning hundreds of millions of won in annual salary.

Until now, neither President Putin nor the Kremlin has officially acknowledged their relationship with Kabayeva. However, the U.S. government believes that at least three children have been born between the two. Shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reports emerged that Kabayeva was staying at a Swiss villa with her children, but she recently appeared in public for the first time in a while by announcing the "Alina Festival," a rhythmic gymnastics event named after her, held in Moscow, Russia.