Vladimir Poutine

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has been a dominant figure in Russian politics for over two decades.

Early Life and Education

Putin was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). He graduated from Leningrad State University in 1975 with a degree in law and later earned a Ph.D. in economics3.

Career in Intelligence and Politics

Putin worked for the KGB, the Soviet Union's security agency, for 16 years, including a period from 1985 to 1990 in East Germany. He resigned from the KGB in 1991, at the rank of lieutenant colonel, and began his political career in St. Petersburg. He held various positions, including chairman of the St. Petersburg City Council’s International Relations Committee and First Deputy Chairman of the St. Petersburg City Government23.

Rise to National Politics

In 1996, Putin moved to Moscow and joined the administration of President Boris Yeltsin. He held several key positions, including director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and secretary of the Security Council of Russia. In August 1999, he was appointed Prime Minister, and following Yeltsin's resignation on December 31, 1999, Putin became acting President of Russia23.

Presidential Terms

Putin was elected President of Russia in 2000 and reelected in 2004. Due to constitutional limitations on consecutive presidential terms, he served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012 under President Dmitry Medvedev. He returned to the presidency in 2012 and was reelected in 2018. Despite earlier statements that he would not run in 2024, Putin has been reelected for another term starting May 7, 202423.

Recent Events and Policies

Putin's presidency has been marked by significant events, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has led to international condemnation and sanctions. He has also implemented various constitutional amendments aimed at extending his political influence beyond his presidency2.

Personal Life

Putin is married and has two daughters, Maria and Katerina, born in 1985 and 1986, respectively3.

In recent days, Putin has been in the news for his response to the new U.S. administration, congratulating Donald Trump on his inauguration and expressing a willingness to open a dialogue with Moscow5. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a significant point of contention, with international leaders calling for an end to the war and criticizing Putin's actions4.