Wife reveals the 'caring' Zhirinovsky revealed

Helsinki (AP) - He would rearrange the borders of Europe without batting an eyelid, but at home, Russia's Vladimir Zhirinovsky is so subdued he "asks others before changing the television channel", his wife said yesterday.

Galina Lebedeva, 48, married for nearly 25 years to the infamous Russian politician, said her mate was "very quiet and peaceful", a warm and loving man who was "crazy about his work" but misrepresented by biased media.

"He never makes any noise at home, he walks around in soft slippers and a jogging suit. He even watches television quietly," Ms Lebedeva, a biologist, told reporters during a private trip to Finland. "He is very considerate to his family, he never forgets a birthday or an anniversary."