Vladimir Putin
President of Russia
Vladimir Putin
President of Russia
Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia, having held power either as president or prime minister since 1999, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in modern Russian history. Born in 1952 in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Putin had a background in the KGB, the Soviet Union’s intelligence agency, before transitioning into politics in the 1990s. Under his leadership, Russia has seen significant political centralization, economic fluctuations, and assertive foreign policies, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His rule has been marked by crackdowns on political opposition, media restrictions, and efforts to maintain control through constitutional changes allowing him to potentially remain in power until 2036. While his supporters view him as a strong leader restoring Russia’s influence on the world stage, critics accuse him of authoritarianism, human rights violations, and suppressing democracy. His presidency continues to shape global geopolitic
Putin Announces Three-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine; Trump Seeks Permanent Truce
- Monday, 28 April 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, starting from May 8th and lasting until May 11th. The Kremlin stated that the ceasefire was based on humanitarian considerations, but Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for an immediate ceasefire lasting at least 30 days. US President Donald Trump also expressed his desire for a permanent ceasefire. This announcement comes during a critical week for Russia-Ukraine peace talks, with Washington trying to broker a deal between the two sides.
Trump Turns on Putin: Historic Meeting at Vatican Marks Shift in US-Russia Relations
- Sunday, 27 April 2025
Pope Francis’s funeral was marked by striking front pages in British newspapers, including images of his coffin and crowds at St Peter's Square. The papers also highlighted a private meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky at the Vatican, which was described as "extraordinary" and had "the potential to become historic". The Sunday Telegraph suggested that President Trump may be waking up to Vladimir Putin’s true nature after criticizing him for attacking Ukraine, while the Sunday Times considered what next for Christianity.
Trump's Ukraine Peace Proposal: Concede Crimea to Russia, Ban NATO Membership
- Friday, 25 April 2025
According to leaked documents, Donald Trump’s proposal for resolving the Ukraine conflict involves recognizing Russia's control over Crimea and allowing Moscow to keep other areas of Ukraine it controls. The plan also calls for banning Ukraine from joining NATO and removing existing sanctions on Russia. In contrast, European proposals aim to address territorial issues only after a ceasefire is reached, with no recognition of Russian control over Ukrainian territory.
Trump Urges Ukraine and Russia to End 'Cruel and Senseless War' in Peace Talks Bid
- Friday, 25 April 2025
President Donald Trump called on Ukraine and Russia to meet for high-level talks to end their three-year war. He stated that most major points are agreed upon and urged the two sides to "finish it off" to stop the bloodshed, adding that the US will facilitate the process if necessary. This comes after Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a peace plan, with Trump having previously demanded Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky sign an agreement granting the US access to Ukraine's mineral resources.
