Biography of Vladimir Putin

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A series of tragedies marked Putin’s life. Despite being the youngest of three brothers, he was raised as an only child after his two older brothers died. After suffering from diphtheria during the wartime tensions between Germany and Russia, the first one died shortly after birth, while the second suffered serious complications.

Being responsible, attentive, and quite quiet, Putin gradually overcame adversities as a child. Despite his economic circumstances, Vladimir Putin graduated with honors from Saint Petersburg State University and studied law. During his university studies, the Russian focused on the foreign policies of the United States; few could have predicted that this country would become one of his main enemies.

Spies or politicians?

Although Putin graduated from law school, he began his career as a KGB agent, the largest security force in the country. The KGB’s work is surrounded by many rumors. For some security experts, this body handled the most slippery espionage tactics on the continent, which were felt like never before. As a political and social agent in those days, Putin worked in Germany.

Besides giving Putin a pernicious education in espionage, the KGB also shaped him politically. He met respected Russian politician Anatoli Sobchak during his years as a spy. Putin was appointed chairman of the city’s foreign relations committee by Sobchack when he became the first mayor of Saint Petersburg in 1991.

Putin’s work opened all doors in his country. He worked as the head of several election campaigns both in St. Petersburg and Moscow in the following years. During his time as president of the country, Boris Yeltsin, Putin was very close to his policies. Yeltsin’s friendship allowed him to hold important political positions, including first deputy head of the presidency in 1998.

A stealthy strategist, Putin

Putin’s persistence paid off in 1999 when Boris Yeltsin named him Prime Minister. As a result of Chechnya’s invasion of Dagestan, Putin began the second Chechen war. With this military strategy, Vladimir Putin would clearly express his vision of war, which is full of weapons, conflicts, and forced victories.

Putin’s reputation, however, did not suffer. President Yeltsin resigned that same year. As a result, Putin was left in charge of the country as interim president, and a new electoral process was preparing to begin. In 2000, Vladimir Putin was elected President of Russia with the support of the Russian Conservative Party. We would be starting a never-ending cycle.

Initially, Putin’s policies hardened the European country’s military and legislative systems. A number of Russian cities and states have also undergone a complete reorganization of their mayors and governors. Despite his intentions to purify politics, his dictatorial spirit emerged when he rubbed shoulders with Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez.

Following his reelection in 2004, Putin continued to maintain controversial foreign relations, particularly with the United States. In 2018, he again became president due to his thirst for power. Vladimir Putin has maintained a high level of acceptance in Russia despite his mysterious life, stealthy political tactics, and constant outbursts against human rights.