Vladimir Putin: Biography, Presidency, and Policies

Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has been serving as the President of Russia since 2012. He previously served as the President from 2000 to 2008 and as the Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. Putin is known for his 'strongman' leadership style, his foreign policy, and his efforts to maintain Russia's status as a major world power. He has been criticized for his authoritarian tendencies and his government's suppression of political dissent and media freedom.