Vladimir Putin: KGB Career, Political Career, Controversies
New Delhi: The year was 2000, and in his final visit to Moscow as US President, Bill Clinton met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who was elected to office just three months ago. His first impression? Putin was capable of “creating a strong and prosperous Russia,” Mr Clinton said. It wasn’t a one-off remark because the two leaders had dinner in the Kremlin Palace. Putin ‘humiliates’ Trump, keeps US president waiting for over an hour
In his phone conversations with then UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bill Clinton said the new Russian President had “enormous potential”, adding, “We can do a lot of good with him.” And then, in a separate call, came the warning that Putin might “get squishy on democracy.”
The US has seen four Presidents since those phone calls 25 years ago. But guess who still rules Russia? It’s Vladimir Putin, now the longest-serving Russian leader since Stalin. Once a shadowy figure in the KGB, Putin rose from relative obscurity and is now in his fifth term.
Bold military actions and an unyielding grip on power are the hallmarks of his legacy. The 72-year-old is accused of dismantling the opposition, silencing dissenting voices and redefining geopolitics – especially as his ambitious and controversial war in Ukraine continues.
Who is Vladimir Putin?
Vladimir Putin has been one of the most influential, controversial and powerful figures globally for over two decades. He is the longest-serving leader of Russia since Joseph Stalin.
Early Life and Education
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, during the aftermath of World War II in Soviet Russia. His parents were Maria Ivanovna Putina and Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, who served as a conscript in the Soviet Navy’s submarine fleet before being reassigned to an NKVD destruction battalion amid the Nazi invasion.
Putin’s grandfather, Spiridon Putin, held the position of personal cook for both Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and founder of the Soviet state, and Joseph Stalin.
He began his education at School No. 193 and later transferred to Saint Petersburg High School 281, where he specialized in the German language. At the age of 12, he developed an interest in judo and sambo, while also engaging with the writings of Marx, Engels, and Lenin. Putin pursued a law degree at Leningrad State University from 1970 to 1975, completing a thesis focused on international trade law. In 1997, he obtained an economics degree from Saint Petersburg Mining University, although his thesis was later discovered to contain instances of plagiarism.
KGB Career
Upon graduating from Leningrad State University in 1975, Vladimir Putin underwent training at the 401st KGB School, initially working in counterintelligence before transitioning to surveillance of foreigners in Leningrad. From 1985 to 1990, he was stationed in Dresden, East Germany, where he operated undercover as a translator and collaborated with the Stasi, the state security service, ultimately achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After the Berlin Wall’s collapse, he returned to Leningrad in 1990, joining the “active reserves” and engaging in recruitment efforts for the KGB at his university. He resigned from the KGB in 1991 in protest against the coup aimed at Mikhail Gorbachev and briefly took on the role of a taxi driver to supplement his income.
Political Career
In 1990, Vladimir Putin was appointed as an advisor on international affairs to Leningrad’s mayor, Anatoly Sobchak. The following year, he advanced to become the head of the Mayor’s Committee for External Relations. He was subjected to investigations for allegedly underreporting prices and allowing the export of metals worth $93 million. In 1994, he became the inaugural deputy chairman of the government of Saint Petersburg.
In 1996, Vladimir Putin relocated to Moscow to join President Boris Yeltsin’s administration, where he undertook various positions, eventually rising to the role of FSB director and subsequently serving as acting prime minister in 1999. Following Yeltsin’s resignation, Putin assumed the position of acting president on December 31, 1999.
Although he was relatively obscure at that time, his popularity soared in the aftermath of the September 1999 apartment bombings and the onset of the Second Chechen War. Putin allied himself with the newly established Unity Party, which backed him during the December 1999 elections.
He secured the presidency in March 2000, garnering 53 percent of the votes, and was reelected in 2004. Due to constitutional term limits, he served as prime minister under Dmitry Medvedev from 2008 to 2012. He returned to the presidency in 2012 and was reelected in 2018.
In March 2024, Vladimir Putin achieved his fifth term as President of Russia with a decisive victory, receiving 87.28 percent of the votes in the first round of the election, facing no significant opposition. After his inauguration, he reinstated Mikhail Mishustin as Prime Minister, tasking him with the formation of a new cabinet. This overwhelming victory, amidst allegations of electoral misconduct, was perceived as a reinforcement of his authority for another six-year term.
Controversies
Russian Annexation of Crimea
In early 2014, in the wake of the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin commenced military operations to annex Crimea, a region with a substantial ethnic Russian demographic. Unmarked Russian forces quickly seized control of critical locations in Crimea.
On March 16, 2014, Crimea conducted a contentious referendum, with officials asserting that more than 95 percent of participants voted in favor of joining Russia. The international community largely denounced this referendum as illegitimate, contending that it occurred under conditions of military occupation.
Vladimir Putin defended the annexation by asserting the need to safeguard Russian-speaking individuals in Crimea and emphasizing the region’s historical connections to Russia. In retaliation, Western nations imposed sanctions on Russia, seeking to diplomatically and economically isolate Putin.
This annexation sparked a protracted conflict in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists engaged in hostilities with Ukrainian forces. This assertive action represented a notable shift in Russian foreign policy, exacerbating tensions between Russia and NATO, as Eastern European countries bolstered their defenses.
The Russia-Ukraine War commenced in 2014, stemming from Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, which resulted in the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. This political upheaval jeopardized Russian influence, prompting Putin’s intervention in Crimea. Backed by Russia, separatist factions in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine have led to sustained conflict.
Putin mobilized Russian military forces, justifying the war by claiming to protect ethnic Russians and to “denazify” Ukraine, while accusing Ukraine of committing genocide. He has persistently disregarded international criticism and sanctions.
Significant events include the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the emergence of separatists in Donbas, and the large-scale invasion that began in February 2022. Russian military operations have targeted Ukrainian cities, resulting in widespread destruction of infrastructure, civilian casualties, and the displacement of millions.
Recent developments feature a surprise Ukrainian offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, advancing as far as 30 kilometers, which prompted mass evacuations. Putin labeled this as a “major provocation,” while Ukrainian forces reported control over more than 1,200 square kilometers of Russian territory.
In May 2024, Russian troops advanced across the border north of Kharkiv, resulting in considerable civilian displacement. In response, the US Congress approved a $61 billion aid package to assist Ukraine, marking the resumption of military support after a four-month pause. Although Ukraine’s defenses have remained resilient, the conflict continues to be fierce.
Conflict in Donbas
Following Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity in 2014, the Russian government, under Putin’s leadership, supported pro-Russian demonstrations in Donetsk and Luhansk, which culminated in their declaration as independent entities and ignited hostilities with Ukrainian forces. In September 2022, Putin proclaimed the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia after conducting unrecognized referendums. This action was met with widespread condemnation from the international community, with the UN General Assembly urging Russia to reverse its decisions and withdraw its military presence.
Significant events include the protests of 2014, the announcement of annexation, and Ukraine’s counteroffensives in October 2022 that successfully reclaimed territory. Putin’s involvement has resulted in the displacement of millions of Ukrainians and extensive destruction, leaving the conflict unresolved and ongoing.
Intervention in Syria
On September 30, 2015, Putin authorized the Russian military’s intervention in the Syrian civil war, following a formal request from the Syrian government. The Russian military executed airstrikes and cruise missile assaults while deploying special forces to combat various factions, including ISIL and al-Nusra Front, that opposed the Syrian regime. After declaring the initial military mission in Syria complete in March 2016, Putin ordered a partial withdrawal of forces; however, Russian operations in support of the Syrian government persisted.
Russian Interference in the 2016 US Election
In January 2017, a US intelligence assessment revealed that Vladimir Putin personally orchestrated a campaign aimed at influencing the 2016 US presidential election, initially focusing on Hillary Clinton. Subsequently, the campaign shifted its preference towards Donald Trump.Both Trump and Putin refuted any allegations of interference; however, the Russian President indicated that such actions might have been executed by “patriotically minded” hackers. In July 2018, it was reported that the CIA had developed a Russian informant close to Putin, who provided insights into his role in the election interference. Similar efforts were allegedly made during the 2020 United States presidential election.
ICC Arrest Warrant for Putin
In 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, accusing him of the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia amid the invasion. This marked the first ICC warrant issued against a head of state from a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The ICC also charged Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, with similar crimes, alleging that both were complicit in the illegal transfer of thousands of unaccompanied children under the pretext of humanitarian assistance.
Wagner Group Rebellion
In June 2023, the Wagner Group, under the leadership of Yevgeny Prigozhin, staged a rebellion against the Russian government. Prigozhin criticized Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu for military shortcomings and asserted that the invasion of Ukraine benefited oligarchs. Putin denounced the uprising as an act of treason. Wagner forces briefly seized control of Rostov-on-Don and advanced towards Moscow but retreated following negotiations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. On August 23, 2023, Prigozhin perished in a plane crash, raising suspicions of state involvement due to reports suggesting a possible explosion.
Personal Life
Vladimir Putin wed Lyudmila Shkrebneva on July 28, 1983. They have two daughters, Mariya and Yekaterina. The couple divorced in 2014.
