Vladimir Putin’s reported gymnast lover is on the verge of being slapped with heavy EU sanctions.
Alina Kabaeva has been long suspected to have been in a relationship with the warmongering Russian president, despite denials from Moscow.
Putin reportedly also has two sons with the ex-Olympian, who were born in secrecy.
And now, Kabaeva is said to be facing being hit with EU sanctions for her role chairing National Media Group.
Bloomberg reported that she is on the list to be sanctioned, but the move would still require approval from the European governments with EU ambassadors expected to meet today.
The outlet reported a document had said Kabaeva was “closely associated with President Putin”.
The National Media Group holds stakes in almost all mainstream Russian media outlets, which have been spreading government propaganda about the war.
As such, EU documents said that it, and Kabaeva, were responsible for supporting the war effort.
If approved, this would mark the sixth package of sanctions that could also include measures to phase out all oil imports by the end of the year.
Previously, Putin’s ex-wife and two daughters have been sanctioned by the bloc.
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In 2008, it was reported within Russia that Putin had divorced his wife and was planning to marry Kabaeva.
The Kremlin boss denounced the article as “erotic fantasy”.
The newspaper, which was owned by Evening Standard and Independent owner Alexander Lebedev, shut shortly after.
Kabaeva, a former gold medal Olympian, turns 39 next week and last month the Wall Street Journal reported that the US held off on sanctioning her over fears it could escalate tensions further with Putin.
She was an MP for six years representing Putin’s United Russia party before going on to to run the pro-Kremlin media group, despite an apparent lack of experience.
Eu officials are also targeting the family of Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov, who has already been sanctioned himself.
His wife, Tatiana Navka, could face sanctions for her co-ownership of property in Crimea, the Guardian reported.
Patriarch Krill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is also reportedly on the list to be sanctioned, the outlet reported.
He gave the war his blessing previously and is one of dozens who could be sanctioned when the latest round are approved.
