By Mark DaCosta- Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation – usually called just Russia – was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad – now named Saint Petersburg – Russia. Putin is referred to in western democracies as an autocratic dictator and warmonger. However, on the other hand, in Russia, and among its few allies such as Belarus, he is generally admired as a strong, no-nonsense leader. Putin has served as the President of Russia for multiple, non-consecutive terms. His leadership style and policies have shaped his country’s political landscape, and has influenced international relations even far away from Russia. His life, rise to power, and the ongoing impacts of his policies and actions on Russia and the world are unquestionably significant.
Born into a working-class family, Putin grew up in a modest apartment. His father, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, was a conscript in the Soviet Navy, while his mother, Maria Ivanovna Putina, worked in a factory. From an early age, Putin showed an interest in sports, particularly judo, which he pursued with great enthusiasm and success throughout his younger years, and into adulthood. On the world stage, he is known for his enjoyment of judo and horseback riding, particularly because he was often filmed in those activities.
After completing his secondary education, Putin enrolled at Leningrad State University, where he studied law. During his university years, he became interested and involved in politics; Putin joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Upon graduating in 1975, he began his career in the KGB, the Soviet Union’s main security agency, where he worked as an intelligence officer for 16 years.
In 1991, as the Soviet Union collapsed and fragmented, Putin found himself in a rapidly changing political landscape. He returned to his hometown of Saint Petersburg and became the deputy mayor. During this time, Putin gained experience in local governance and administration, earning a reputation for his efficiency and pragmatism.
In 1999, Boris Yeltsin, the then-president of Russia, appointed Putin as the Prime Minister. This move marked the beginning of Putin’s ascent to national political power. Later that year, Yeltsin resigned, and Putin assumed the presidency on December 31, 1999. Upon taking office, Putin faced numerous challenges, including a struggling economy, corruption, and a weakened international standing, not to mention a rapidly changing world characterised by widespread geopolitical instability.
During his early years as president, Putin implemented various reforms aimed at stabilising the Russian economy and consolidating his own power. He introduced policies that focused on strengthening the central government, and promoting economic growth. These efforts resulted in a period of stability and economic recovery, which earned Putin popularity among the Russian population.
As has been stated, Putin’s leadership style has often been described as authoritarian, with critics – in Russia and abroad – accusing him of suppressing political opposition and restricting media freedom. All the same, he has maintained his hold on power. Some analysts say that his consolidation of power is the result of his authoritarian approach.
Under Putin’s leadership, Russia has pursued an assertive foreign policy, seeking to reestablish its influence on the global stage. Some analysts say that Putin is obsessed with returning Russia to its “days of glory.”
Putin has been involved in numerous international conflicts, including the annexation of Crimea – a large part of Ukraine – in 2014. He was also involved in the military intervention in Syria in 2015. In that year alone, some 110,000 Syrians died. That conflict continues to this day.
These actions have drawn both praise and criticism from the international community, with some viewing them as necessary steps to protect Russian interests and others as violations of international law.
Putin’s presidency has been marked by a mix of achievements and controversies. While he has overseen economic growth and increased Russia’s global influence, concerns remain about human rights, freedom of speech, and the concentration of power in the hands of a few. Concerns have also been stated regarding the sudden deaths of his critics and opponents. His popularity among the Russian population has remained strong, though, and he has been reelected multiple times, most recently in 2018.
In February 2021, Putin launched a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations has confirmed that, to date, more than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and more than 18,500 injured.
The official position of the United Nations is that Putin’s actions in Ukraine violate international laws.
On 17 March 2023, following an investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and others within his orbit.
The fact is, though, whether viewed as a strong leader or an authoritarian figure, Putin’s influence on Russia cannot be denied, and his influence on the international situation is not disputed.
