The ruthless politician... Who is Vladimir Putin?

Vladimir Putin is one of the most prominent political figures in the world in recent times, having played a pivotal role in reshaping the features of modern Russia, both domestically and internationally. Since assuming power in the late 1990s, he has worked to consolidate his authority and rebuild Russian state institutions across various fields. This has made him an attractive figure who combines admiration for his role in strengthening Russia with sharp criticism of his authoritarian methods and confrontational foreign policy. Follow along to learn more.

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Origins and beginnings in Saint Petersburg Vladimir Putin is the only son of Vladimir and Maria Putin after his two brothers died in infancy during the 1930s. He was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, now called Saint Petersburg. He grew up in a poor family. His mother worked in a factory, while his father served in the Soviet Navy in the submarine fleet. He then participated in World War II and was wounded in 1942. On September 1, 1960, Putin began his studies at School No. 193 near his home on Baskov Street. He was one of the few in his class not to join the Pioneer Organization. At the age of twelve, he began training in sambo and judo. He also studied German at Secondary School No. 281 in Saint Petersburg, and is fluent in it.

In 1970, he enrolled in the Law Faculty of Leningrad State University, now known as Saint Petersburg State University, and graduated in 1975 with a thesis on the principle of most-favored nation (MFN) in international law. During his studies, he joined the Soviet Communist Party and remained a member until 1991. There, he met his professor, Anatoly Sobchak, who later played a pivotal role in drafting the Russian Constitution and formed a mutually influential relationship in the political paths of both of them.

From KGB Officer to the Pinnacle of Power After the fall of the East German government, Putin was forced to leave his job with the KGB due to doubts about his loyalty during the Dresden protests. He then returned to Leningrad in 1990 and worked briefly at Leningrad University while preparing his doctoral dissertation. While at the university, he monitored students and sought out KGB recruits. He renewed his relationship with Anatoly Sobchak, who had become mayor of Leningrad. He resigned from the KGB in August 1991 during the attempted coup against Gorbachev, declaring his opposition to the coup despite the difficulty of the decision.

In the mid-1990s, Putin moved to Moscow and began to rise rapidly through the ranks within the presidential administration. In 1998, he was appointed head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), then became prime minister in 1999. At the end of the same year, President Boris Yeltsin resigned and Putin was appointed interim president.

In March 2000, he was elected President of Russia and re-elected in 2004. Due to constitutional restrictions, he assumed the position of Prime Minister in 2008 while Dmitry Medvedev assumed the presidency. Putin then returned to the presidency in 2012 after his term was extended to six years and was re-elected in 2018.

The most important decisions that shaped the face of modern Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin has played a pivotal role in guiding Russia's policy in the Middle East through direct interventions, bilateral relations, and tactical maneuvers. His most notable decisions include:

Since 2007, Putin has sought to strengthen partnerships with Iran in the energy, nuclear, and defense sectors through official visits and strategic agreements such as the Bushehr project and deals such as the S-300 missile system, emphasizing Russia's support for Iran's peaceful nuclear program and deepening economic and political cooperation. Putin has strengthened his country's relations with Saudi Arabia through official visits since 2007, focusing on cooperation in energy and defense. This relationship witnessed a strong boost in 2019 and 2023 through coordination within OPEC+ and potential arms and energy deals. Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Putin has sought to strengthen Russia's influence by rejecting the US occupation, expanding oil investments, and supporting cooperation with Baghdad in the energy and defense sectors, particularly through OPEC+ and the companies Clock Oil and Rosneft. Putin took advantage of the decline in American influence after 2013 to strengthen his relations with Egypt. He was among the first to support Sisi and deepened bilateral cooperation through high-level visits and supportive political and economic positions. Despite tensions between Putin and the Ankara government, he has maintained a strategic partnership with Türkiye, particularly in energy and defense, through the TurkStream and Akkuyu projects and the S-400 deal, taking advantage of Ankara's distancing from the West. Crises and challenges during his years of rule Since President Vladimir Putin took power, he has faced a series of crises and challenges, both domestically and internationally, most notably:

The economic crisis, as the Russian economy was affected by the decline in oil prices and the impact of Western sanctions that affected several sectors. Major Russian cities have witnessed sporadic demonstrations over corruption and election issues, reflecting growing public anger. Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 sparked tensions with Ukraine and the West and resulted in economic sanctions. Russia's support for separatists in eastern Ukraine has escalated conflict and tensions at the regional and international levels. Interference in internal affairs: Russia has faced accusations of interfering in elections in other countries, straining its relations with the West. Russia's relations with the West have deteriorated under Putin due to political disagreements and regional issues, which have increased geopolitical tensions. Follow exclusive content that you can't find anywhere else, and enjoy benefits you can't miss with Special, the world's most popular site.

Putin and the Media... The Image of a Strong Leader In 2007, Putin was named Time magazine's Person of the Year and in 2008, he was included in Time's 100 list of the world's most influential people. In December of that year, Gorbachev praised Putin for his role in leading Russia out of chaos, but criticized the suppression of the media and the drift away from democracy. In 2011, during election protests, Gorbachev called on Putin to leave politics rather than run for a third term. Putin was widely criticized, especially online, where a network of pro-Putin bloggers was funded. US cables leaked by WikiLeaks in 2010 revealed that he was described as the alpha dog and compared to Batman.

Russia under his leadership is considered a corrupt and autocratic state allied with corruption and crime, a claim Putin has strongly denied. Opposition figures and Westerners have described Putin as a dictator, with Masha Gessen and Lukashenko likening him to a global threat, and David Miliband and Mitt Romney describing him as a global threat. Protests against him escalated in 2011 over rigged elections. In 2014, Patriarch Filaret accused him of shedding Ukrainian blood. The Dalai Lama criticized him for isolating Russia, while the Anti-Corruption Project named him Person of the Year for his role in fostering organized crime.

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Vladimir Putin is one of the most pivotal figures in world politics, with an unmistakable influence. His impact on Russia and the world demonstrates a complex blend of power, strategic wisdom, and ambition, making his personality essential to understanding the many changes taking place in the modern era.