Vladimir Putin

About Vladimir Putin

The Russian President who has governed Russia since 2000, alternating between president and prime minister. Putin, a former KGB officer, consolidated power and rebuilt the Russian economy using oil and gas revenues. He annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, triggering the largest European war since World War II. Putin has been described as an autocrat who suppresses opposition. His invasion of Ukraine led to massive Western sanctions and Russia isolation. Putin has dominated Russian politics for over two decades, making him the longest serving Russian leader since Stalin.