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 PRAISES OVECHKIN: Russian President Congratulates Hockey Star on NHL Record-Breaking Goal
- Monday, 07 April 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Alex Ovechkin on his NHL-record 895th goal, saying it was not only a personal success but also a celebration for fans in Russia and abroad. Putin wished Ovechkin health, good fortune, and fighting spirit to conquer new heights in life and sports. The Kremlin has long supported Ovechkin, who started the "PutinTeam" movement in 2017 to rally support for the president ahead of elections.
Russia's Spy Ship Spotted: UK Told to Prepare Survival Kits Amid Fears of Gas Pipeline Sabotage
- Saturday, 05 April 2025
Fears of Russian sabotage on Britain's energy pipelines have led security advisers to warn families to prepare 72-hour "survival kits". The UK relies heavily on gas and electricity imports, with nearly 40% of its gas supply coming from Norway through a single pipeline. Concerns rose after a Russian spy ship was detected mapping the UK's critical underwater infrastructure in the North Sea. Experts recommend packing water, non-perishable food, medicines, a battery-powered radio, a torch, identity documents, and a Swiss Army knife to prepare for potential blackouts. The Government will include protection of critical undersea infrastructure in its Strategic Defence Review this year.
US: Putin Has Weeks, Not Months, to Show Ceasefire Seriousness in Ukraine Conflict
- Friday, 04 April 2025
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he will know within weeks if Vladimir Putin is serious about peace and a ceasefire in Ukraine. This follows similar comments from British and French diplomats, who accused Putin of dragging his feet on making a decision. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported Russian strikes killing at least 17 people overnight, as the US attempts to bring Russia and Ukraine together for a ceasefire deal.
US-Russia Relations Enter Turbulent Phase as Trump Administration Threatens Tariffs and Sanctions
- Friday, 04 April 2025
US-Russia relations have become unpredictable under President Trump, with ups and downs and twists. Initially, Trump sought to repair relations with Russia, but a recent rollercoaster ride began after Vladimir Putin proposed replacing Ukraine's government with "external governance" under UN auspices. Trump expressed anger at Putin's proposal, and the US threatened tariffs on Russian oil exports if Russia fails to make progress on a Ukraine peace deal. The US also drew up a bill imposing 500% secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, gas, and resources.
