Who is Vladimir Putin ?

A former intelligence officer, Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia since 2012, and previously from 1999 until 2008. He worked as a KGB foreign intelligence officer for 16 years, before resigning in 1991 to begin a political career in Saint Petersburg.

 

Under his first tenure as president, the country's economy grew for eight consecutive years. The growth was a result of a fivefold increase in the price of oil and gas, which constitute the majority of Russian exports, recovery from the post-communist depression and financial crises, a rise in foreign investment, and prudent economic and fiscal policies.

 

Background

 

Born in Leningrad (now