| Putin, Vladimir (president)
President of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was born in Leningrad (Now St. Petersburg) on October 7, 1952.
In 1975 he graduated from the Legal Department of Leningrad State University and was given a post in the security service. From 1985 to 1990 he served in the GDR. On August 20, 1991, he tendered his resignation from the security service.
In 1990 he was given the post of Assistant President of Leningrad State University for international affairs and later served as adviser to the chairman of the Leningrad City Council.
On June 12, 1991, he was appointed chairman of the Committee on External Ties of the St. Petersburg Mayoralty. In that post he was responsible for investment in the city's economy, the establishment of joint ventures and cooperation with foreign partners.
In 1994-96 he served as first deputy chairman of the St. Petersburg government and chairman of the Committee on External Ties of the St. Petersburg Mayoralty. He also headed a municipal operation commission. He was in charge of the city's law-enforcement bodies and contacts with St. Petersburg's Legislative Assembly and the Public Relations Department.
In August 1996 he was appointed deputy director of the property department under the President in Moscow.
In March 1997 he was appointed deputy head of the President's Administration and head of the Main Control Directorate.
From May 1998 he served as first deputy head of the President's Administration (with special responsibilities for contacts with the country's regions). In July 1998 he was appointed Director of the Federal Security Service and in March 1999 - Security Council Secretary.
He held the post of Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation from August 1999. On December 31, 1999, he became Acting President of the Russian Federation.
On March 26, 2000, he was elected President of the Russian Federation.
On May 7, 2000, he was inaugurated as President of the Russian Federation.
He holds a degree in economics.
He speaks fluent German and has a basic command of English.
He has practiced sambo (unarmed self-defense) and judo since he was eleven years old. In 1973 he was awarded the title of Sports Master in sambo, and the same title in judo was conferred on him in 1975.
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His wife is Lyudmila Alexandrovna Putina.
The Putins have two daughters.
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