RUSSIAN FEDERATION
PRESIDENT MR VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVICH PUTIN

Born in Leningrad on 7 October 1952.

In 1975, he graduated from the law faculty of the Leningrad State University. He holds a candidate's (master's) degree in economics. Following graduation, he was asked to work for the Soviet State Security. From 1985 to 1990, he worked in East Germany. In 1990, Vladimir Putin became an aide to the president of Leningrad State University in charge of international affairs and later on adviser to the Chairman of the Leningrad City Council. In June 1991, Mr Putin became Chairman of the External Relations Committee of the St. Petersburg City Council. In 1994, he combined this job with the new post of First Deputy Chairman of the Administration of St. Petersburg.

In August 1996, Vladimir Putin was appointed to work under the President of the Russian Federation as a Deputy Manager of Administration. In March 1997, he was made a Deputy Director of Presidential Administration, as well as Chief of the Main Supervisory Directorate. In May 1998, he became First Deputy Director of Presidential Administration. In July of that year, Vladimir Putin was appointed Director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), a post that he combined in March 1999 with that of Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

In August 1999, Vladmir Putin was appointed Acting Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

He became Acting President of the Russian Federation on 31 December 1999.

On 26 March 2000, he was elected President of the Russian Federation and was inaugurated on 7 May of the same year.