69.1%

He took first place out of a total of 8 candidates.

According to the candidate rankings of the Russian Center for Public Opinion Research from February 19-22 and February 24-26, 2018.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: TASS

Biography

Vladimir Putin was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, the third child in his family. His father, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, worked in the navy, serving in the submarine fleet in the early 1930s, and participated in the Great Patriotic War, where he was wounded. After returning from the front lines, his father worked as a security guard at a car factory, later becoming a manager.

Vladimir Putin's mother, Maria Ivanovna Shelomova, was also a car factory worker; she fought in the siege of Leningrad and was awarded the "For the Defense of Leningrad" medal. Putin's two older brothers were born in the mid-1930s; one died a few months after birth; the other died of diphtheria during the Leningrad blockade.

“I was born into a humble family with an ordinary, simple lifestyle, which influenced my entire upbringing. I, like many other ordinary people, am a citizen of great Russia.”

(Excerpt from the Kremlin's biography)

After the war, Vladimir Putin's family rented an apartment and lived there until he moved to work at the State Security Committee (KGB). The family, as Putin shared, lived a very simple and modest life.

"Every Sunday and on holidays, my mother would often go into the kitchen and make delicious pies with cabbage, meat, or cheese fillings."

(Excerpt from the Kremlin's biography)

According to Putin's own account, during his school years, he was a troublemaker and bully, not a model student. He participated in martial arts clubs such as judo and karate. In particular, from his youth he enjoyed watching military films and dreamed of working in national security agencies.

3 election victories

Vladimir Putin has run for election three times and won each time.

Year 2000...................................................................................... 52.94%

2004...................................................................................... 71.31%

2012....................................................................................... 63.6%

In 2000, while officially unaffiliated with any party, Putin received support from the newly formed Edinstvo faction and won a majority in the election. In 2004, he ran as an independent candidate. In 2012, he was nominated by the United Russia party.

The path to becoming a spy

To become a professional spy, after graduating from high school, Vladimir Putin received a scholarship from the Director of the State Security Committee (KGB) and continued his training. It was there that he learned that to realize his dream, he needed to serve in the military or graduate from law school. Having determined his purpose in life, he prepared thoroughly for the entrance exam and was admitted to the Faculty of Law at Leningrad State University in 1970. After five years of study, in 1975 he graduated and was recruited into the KGB.

During his time working in the KGB, Putin impressed not only the organization's leaders but also his foreign intelligence colleagues. After his time serving in Leningrad, Putin went to Moscow to continue his studies at the Andropov Red Army Academy.

From 1985 to 1990, the KGB transferred Putin to work in Dresden, East Germany. During this time, Putin was promoted to lieutenant colonel and served as a senior assistant to the head of the KGB there. After the collapse of East Germany, Putin was recalled to the Soviet Union and returned to Leningrad, where in June 1990 he was given a position in the International Relations department of Leningrad State University, directly under the vice-rector.

In June 1991, he was appointed Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the St. Petersburg City Hall, with the responsibility of strengthening international relations and foreign investment.

In 1994 he became the First Vice-Chairman of the city of St. Petersburg, a position he held until he was summoned to Moscow in August 1996 to take on several high-ranking positions within the second administration of Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin.

He was the civilian head of the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB, the successor agency to the KGB) from July 1998 to August 1999, and served as Secretary of the Security Committee from March to August 1999.

Putin spoke about Crimea:

“We need to take the necessary measures to prevent the escalation of tensions in southeastern Ukraine. How can we avoid tanks and military conflicts between peoples who share a common history? Therefore, behind Crimea's defensive strength, there is always our army providing support. They are always ready to fight, acting decisively, professionally, and courageously.”

Excerpt from an interview published in "Looking Straight" on April 18, 2014

Putin spoke about relations with the West:

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Excerpt from Putin's speech at the Valdai International Political Discussion Club meeting on October 19, 2017.

"A daunting mission"

In 1996, Vladimir Putin moved to Moscow with his family and assumed the position of Deputy Director of Presidential Affairs, overseeing the administration of law and matters related to foreign assets. Since March 2017, he has been Deputy Director of the Presidential Administration's Chief Control Office.

From May to July 1998, he served as the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Presidential Administration Committee of the Russian Federation. In July 1998, Putin was appointed Director of the Federal Security Service.

In August 1999, then-Russian President Yeltsin appointed Putin as Prime Minister, making him Russia's fifth prime minister in less than eighteen months. When appointed, few believed that Putin, a clearly less well-known figure, could hold the position longer than his predecessors.

On December 31, 1999, at midnight on New Year's Eve, Boris Yeltsin uttered his historic words: "I'm tired, I'm going to resign," and appointed Vladimir Putin as (acting) President, becoming the second president of the Russian Federation. According to Putin, it was difficult for him to make the decision, as it was a "heavy mission."

(Excerpt from the Kremlin's biography)

Vladimir Putin served as President for two terms: 2000-2004 and 2004-2008. Following that, from 2008 to 2012, he served as Prime Minister of Russia. He has continued as the leader of Russia since 2012.

“On the one hand, it’s fate, allowing you to dedicate all your energy to your country. And it would be foolish for me to say ‘no’ and start a business selling seeds or practicing law. And, as everyone knows, what happened after that.”

(Excerpt from the Kremlin's biography)

Hobbies and talents

JudoOne of Putin's favorite sports is judo. He currently holds a black belt and is most skilled at the Harai Goshi, a hip throw. He also holds a black belt in Karate and enjoys boxing.

HockeyHe participated in the Night Hockey League in 2011.

Dogs, leopards, and other animalsPutin has issued a decree banning the hunting of squirrels and their young.

Go fishing:Putin enjoys fishing in Tuva. He is also passionate about scuba diving.

Extreme racingPutin once participated in Formula 1 races on a special track in Sochi.

Playing the piano:Putin is a music lover and enjoys playing the piano. The media suggests that, in addition to being a talented leader, Putin is also a refined artist when seated at the piano.

Speak German as your native language and know English.

Private about personal life.

Vladimir Putin rarely speaks about his family. He has been married for 30 years to Lyudmila Putina, a former flight attendant and German teacher. They have two daughters, Maria (born 1985) and Yekaterina (born 1986).

"Ignoring the rumors, my daughters are living in Moscow, and so are my grandchildren. They are living ordinary lives like everyone else. My children are all involved in scientific research and education."

(Excerpt from "Speaking Frankly", June 15, 2017)

Putin once shared that, as a grandfather, he didn't want his grandchildren to "grow up like princes."

"I want the children to grow up like other normal children, because they need to socialize and play with friends their own age. If I reveal their names and ages, they will immediately attract attention, lose their freedom, and even become isolated. This greatly affects a child's development."