Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin 

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is the President of the Russian Federation and one of the most influential and controversial political leaders of the 21st century. He was born on 7 October 1952 in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Soviet Union. Raised in a modest working-class family, Putin grew up during the hardships of post-World War II Soviet society, which strongly shaped his worldview.

Putin studied law at Leningrad State University, graduating in 1975. During his university years, he was recruited by the KGB (Committee for State Security), the Soviet intelligence agency. He served as a foreign intelligence officer, including a posting in East Germany during the 1980s. His experience in intelligence gave him a deep understanding of power, secrecy, and state control—traits that later defined his political style.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Putin returned to Russia and entered politics. He worked in the Saint Petersburg mayor’s office under Mayor Anatoly Sobchak, where he gained a reputation as a loyal and efficient administrator. In the mid-1990s, Putin moved to Moscow and quickly rose through the ranks of the federal government. In 1998, he was appointed head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the KGB.

In August 1999, President Boris Yeltsin appointed Putin as Prime Minister. Later that year, Yeltsin resigned, making Putin Acting President. Putin won the 2000 presidential election, marking the beginning of a new era in Russian politics. He emphasized restoring stability, strengthening the central government, and reviving national pride after the turbulent 1990s.

Putin served two consecutive presidential terms (2000–2008). Due to constitutional limits, he became Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012 while maintaining significant influence, as his ally Dmitry Medvedev served as President. In 2012, Putin returned to the presidency and later oversaw constitutional changes that allowed him to extend his rule beyond previous limits.

Domestically, Putin is known for centralizing power, reducing the influence of oligarchs, controlling media, and limiting political opposition. Supporters credit him with stabilizing Russia’s economy and restoring global influence, while critics accuse him of authoritarianism and human rights abuses.

In foreign policy, Putin has pursued an assertive strategy aimed at re-establishing Russia as a major world power. Key events include the annexation of Crimea in 2014, involvement in Syria, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has drawn widespread international criticism and sanctions.

Vladimir Putin remains a dominant figure in global politics, admired by some for his strong leadership and criticized by others for undermining democratic institutions. His legacy continues to shape Russia and international relations in profound ways.