History of Vladimir Putin in Timeline
Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician who has dominated Russian politics for over two decades. He has served as President of Russia since 2012, and previously from 2000-2008, and as Prime Minister from 1999-2000 and 2008-2012. He is the longest-serving Russian president since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
1911: Birth of Putin's Parents
In 1911, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin and Maria Ivanovna Putina, Vladimir Putin's parents, were born.
1940: Birth of Brother Viktor
In 1940, Viktor, one of Vladimir Putin's brothers, was born.
1941: Death of Maternal Grandmother
In 1941, Vladimir Putin's maternal grandmother was killed by the German occupiers of the Tver region during World War II.
1942: Death of Brother Viktor
In 1942, Viktor, one of Vladimir Putin's brothers, died of diphtheria and starvation during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II.
1942: Father Wounded in War
In 1942, during the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Putin's father was severely wounded while serving in the regular army.
1943: Joseph Stalin's participation in the Tehran Conference
On 16 October 2007, Putin visited Iran to participate in the Second Caspian Summit in Tehran, where he met with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This was the first visit of a Soviet or Russian leader to Iran since Joseph Stalin's participation in the Tehran Conference in 1943, and marked a significant event in Iran–Russia relations.
October 1952: Putin's Birth
In October 1952, Vladimir Putin was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia), the youngest of three children.
September 1960: Started School
In September 1960, Putin began attending School No. 193 at Baskov Lane.
1960: First time US canceled a summit
In late 2013, Russian-American relations deteriorated after the United States canceled a summit for the first time since 1960, due to Putin granting asylum to Edward Snowden.
1965: Death of Putin's Grandfather
In 1965, Spiridon Putin, Vladimir Putin's grandfather and personal cook to Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin, passed away.
1970: Started at Leningrad State University
In 1970, Putin began studying law at the Leningrad State University named after Andrei Zhdanov (now Saint Petersburg State University).
1972: US withdrawal from Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
According to the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin embarked on a build-up of Russia's nuclear capabilities because of U.S. president George W. Bush's unilateral decision to withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
1972: Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
Reference to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, as related to US withdrawal and NATO expansion.
1975: Graduation from Leningrad State University
In 1975, Putin graduated from the Leningrad State University with a law degree.
1975: Joined the KGB
In 1975, Putin joined the KGB and began training at the 401st KGB School in Okhta, Leningrad.
1978: Publication of 'Strategic Planning and Policy'
In 1978, King and Cleland's 'Strategic Planning and Policy' was published, later allegedly used by Putin for his thesis.
July 1983: Putin's Marriage to Lyudmila Shkrebneva
On 28 July 1983, Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva.
September 1984: Further Training in Moscow
In September 1984, Putin was sent to Moscow for further training at the Yuri Andropov Red Banner Institute.
April 1985: Birth of Mariya Putina
On 28 April 1985, Mariya Putina, Putin's daughter, was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg).
1985: Posting to Dresden
In 1985, Putin was posted to Dresden, East Germany, where he served until 1990 using a cover identity as a translator.
August 1986: Birth of Yekaterina Putina
On 31 August 1986, Yekaterina Putina, Putin's daughter, was born in Dresden, East Germany (now Germany).
1987: Possible Violation of Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
Some analysts believe that Russia's nuclear strategy under Vladimir Putin has brought Russia into violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
November 1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall
In November 1989, during the fall of the Berlin Wall, Putin reportedly saved files of the Soviet Cultural Center and KGB villa in Dresden.
1989: Confrontation with Protesters
In 1989, while posted in Dresden, Putin confronted anti-communist protestors attempting to occupy Stasi buildings.
1989: Comparison to Soviet Era
In 2004, Freedom House warned that Russia's "retreat from freedom marks a low point not registered since 1989, when the country was part of the Soviet Union".
May 1990: Advisor to Mayor of Leningrad
In May 1990, Putin was appointed as an advisor on international affairs to the mayor of Leningrad, Anatoly Sobchak.
1990: End of Living in East Germany
From 1985 to 1990, Putin and his family lived together in East Germany.
1990: End of Dresden Posting
In 1990, Putin's service in Dresden, East Germany, came to an end.
1990: Return to Leningrad
In 1990, after the collapse of the Communist East German government, Putin returned to Leningrad and joined the "active reserves".
1990: Paris Charter and Relations with Russia
In 1990, the U.S. and its allies didn't rush in after to exploit a proud but collapsing Soviet Union. Never was the idea of humbling Russia considered even for a moment.
June 1991: Head of Committee for External Relations
On June 28, 1991, Putin became the head of the Committee for External Relations of the Mayor's Office in Saint Petersburg.
August 1991: Resignation from KGB
On August 20, 1991, Putin claims that he resigned from the KGB with the rank of lieutenant colonel on the second day of the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt.
1991: Resignation from KGB
In 1991, Putin resigned from his position as a KGB foreign intelligence officer to begin his political career in Saint Petersburg.
1991: End of Communist Party Membership
In 1991, Putin's membership in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) ceased when the party dissolved.
1993: Wife's Car Crash
In 1993, Putin's wife was involved in a serious car crash, which Putin said contributed to his religious awakening.
March 1994: Appointed Deputy Chairman
In March 1994, Putin was appointed as first deputy chairman of the Government of Saint Petersburg.
1994: Held Political Positions in Saint Petersburg
From 1994 to 1996, Putin held several other political and governmental positions in Saint Petersburg.
June 1996: Resignation from Saint Petersburg Administration
In June 1996, Putin resigned from his positions in the Saint Petersburg city administration after Sobchak lost his re-election bid.
August 1996: Dacha Fire
In August 1996, a life-threatening fire burned down Putin's dacha, contributing to his religious awakening.
1996: Remained Head of Committee
Despite investigations, Putin remained the head of the Committee for External Relations until 1996.
1996: Move to Moscow
In 1996, Putin moved to Moscow to join the administration of President Boris Yeltsin, further advancing his political career.
1996: Dacha Fire and Reconstruction
In 1996, Putin's dacha burned down, after which he built a new one identical to the original and formed the Ozero cooperative.
March 1997: Appointed Deputy Chief
In March 1997, Putin was appointed as deputy chief of the Presidential Property Management Department.
March 1997: Appointed Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff
On 26 March 1997, President Boris Yeltsin appointed Putin deputy chief of the Presidential Staff.
April 1997: Promoted to 1st Class Active State Councillor
On 3 April 1997, Putin was promoted to 1st class Active State Councillor of the Russian Federation.
June 1997: Defense of Candidate of Science Dissertation
In June 1997, at the Saint Petersburg Mining Institute, Putin defended his Candidate of Science dissertation in economics, titled Strategic Planning of the Reproduction of the Mineral Resource Base of a Region under Conditions of the Formation of Market Relations. Allegations later surfaced that portions of his thesis were plagiarized.
1997: Received Degree in Economics
In 1997, Putin received a degree in economics at the Saint Petersburg Mining University.
May 1998: Retained Post as Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff
In May 1998, Putin retained his post as deputy chief of the Presidential Staff.
May 1998: Appointment as First Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff
In May 1998, Putin was appointed First Deputy Chief of the Presidential Staff for the regions, succeeding Viktoriya Mitina. He later headed a commission for agreements on regional power delimitation, though no agreements were completed under his leadership.
June 1998: Chief of Main Control Directorate
Putin was chief of the Main Control Directorate of the Presidential Property Management Department until June 1998.
July 1998: Appointment as Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB)
In July 1998, Yeltsin appointed Putin as director of the Federal Security Service (FSB). During his tenure, Putin focused on reorganizing and strengthening the agency, marking a period where he consolidated power and reinforced state security.
August 1998: Putin Learns Financial Crises Are Politically Destabilizing
During the Russian financial crash of August 1998, Putin learned that financial crises are politically destabilizing and must be avoided at all costs.
1998: Death of Putin's Mother
In 1998, Maria Ivanovna Putina, Vladimir Putin's mother, passed away.
August 1999: Appointment as Prime Minister
In August 1999, Putin was appointed as Prime Minister of Russia before becoming acting president.
September 1999: Rising Popularity Amidst Crisis
Following the September 1999 Russian apartment bombings and the invasion of Dagestan by mujahideen, Putin's 'law-and-order' image and approach to the Second Chechen War led to a surge in his popularity, allowing him to overtake rivals.
December 1999: Putin's Foreign Policy Objectives Outlined
In December 1999, Putin's document "Russia at the Turn of the Millenium" outlined his foreign policy objectives, emphasizing Russia's unique values and fears of losing unity.
December 1999: Support for the Unity Party
In December 1999, while not formally associated with any party, Putin pledged his support to the newly formed Unity Party, which subsequently won the second largest percentage of the popular vote in the Duma elections.
December 1999: Presidential Decree on Guarantees for Former President
On December 31, 1999, Putin's first presidential decree, "On guarantees for the former president of the Russian Federation and the members of his family", was issued. This ensured that "corruption charges against the outgoing President and his relatives" would not be pursued, particularly regarding the Mabetex bribery case.
December 1999: Assumption of Acting Presidency
On December 31, 1999, Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned, making Putin the Acting President of the Russian Federation, according to the Constitution. He then visited Russian troops in Chechnya.
1999: Putin on Communism
In 1999, Putin described communism as "a blind alley, far away from the mainstream of civilization".
1999: Appointment as Prime Minister of Russia
In 1999, Putin was appointed as the Prime Minister of Russia, marking a significant step in his political career.
1999: Death of Putin's Father
In 1999, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, Vladimir Putin's father, passed away.
1999: Punishment of Journalists
Scott Gehlbach has claimed that since 1999, Vladimir Putin has systematically punished journalists who challenge his official point of view.
March 2000: Victory in Presidential Elections
Due to Yeltsin's resignation, the presidential elections were held on 26 March 2000. Putin won in the first round with 53% of the vote.
May 2000: Putin visits Tashkent
In May 2000, Putin visited Tashkent, Uzbekistan, improving relations after a period of lukewarm ties under Yeltsin and Islam Karimov.
May 2000: Creation of Federal Districts
On 13 May 2000, Putin issued a decree organizing the 89 federal subjects of Russia into seven administrative federal districts and appointed a presidential envoy responsible for each of those districts.
May 2000: Inauguration as President
On 7 May 2000, Putin's inauguration as President occurred. He appointed Mikhail Kasyanov as prime minister.
June 2000: Scheduled Election Date
While his opponents had been preparing for an election in June 2000, Yeltsin's resignation resulted in the presidential elections being held on 26 March 2000.
July 2000: Putin visits North Korea
In July 2000, Putin became the first Russian or Soviet leader to visit North Korea, meeting Kim Jong-il shortly after visiting South Korea.
July 2000: Putin Gains Right to Dismiss Heads of Federal Subjects
In July 2000, according to a law proposed by Putin and approved by the Federal Assembly of Russia, Putin gained the right to dismiss the heads of the 89 federal subjects.
August 2000: Criticism Over Kursk Submarine Disaster
In August 2000, Putin faced criticism for his handling of the Kursk submarine disaster, particularly because of his delayed return from vacation and visit to the scene.
August 2000: Criminal Investigation Dropped
On 30 August 2000, a criminal investigation (number 18/238278-95) in which Putin himself, as a member of the Saint Petersburg city government, was one of the suspects, was dropped.
December 2000: Case Against Prosecutor General Dropped
On 30 December 2000, yet another case against the prosecutor general was dropped "for lack of evidence", despite thousands of documents having been forwarded by Swiss prosecutors.
2000: Start of National Reconstruction and Agreement with Oligarchs
Between 2000 and 2004, Putin began the reconstruction of Russia, reaching a 'grand bargain' with the Russian oligarchs, who maintained most of their powers in exchange for support of Putin's government.
2000: Putin re-established stronger ties with Fidel Castro's Cuba
Earlier in 2000, Putin had re-established stronger ties with Fidel Castro's Cuba.
2000: First Presidential Term
In 2000, Putin began his first term as President of Russia, a position he held until 2008.
2000: Co-authored "Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin" in Russian
In 2000, Putin co-authored a book entitled "Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin" in Russian.
2000: Election Campaign Managed by Litvinenko
In 2000, Vladimir Litvinenko managed Putin's presidential election campaign in St Petersburg.
2000: Launch of Socio-Economic Development Programme
In 2000, Vladimir Putin launched the "Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation for the Period 2000–2010".
2000: Putin's Rating Falls to Lowest Since 2000 During Protests
In January 2013, at the time of the 2011–2013 Russian protests, Putin's rating fell to 62%, the lowest since 2000, reflecting public discontent.
2000: Putin's Presidential Elections
Since 2000, Vladimir Putin has been nominated and elected as President of Russia all five times, typically under an independent banner.
February 2001: Federal Law Replacing 1999 Decree Signed
On 12 February 2001, Putin signed a federal law similar to the decree of 1999, replacing it. A case regarding Putin's alleged corruption in metal exports from 1992 was brought back by Marina Salye, but she was silenced and forced to leave Saint Petersburg.
2001: Putin's Relations with World Leaders after 9/11
After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, Putin had good relations with American president George W. Bush and many western European leaders.
2001: Awarded Civilian Honors
Since 2001, at least fifteen countries have awarded Vladimir Putin civilian honors.
October 2002: Moscow Theater Hostage Crisis
The Moscow theater hostage crisis occurred in October 2002. Despite concerns of damaged popularity due to the deaths of 130 hostages, Putin's approval ratings actually increased to 83% following the special forces' rescue operation.
2002: Otto von Habsburg's Criticism
In a newspaper interview in 2002, Otto von Habsburg warned of Putin as an "international threat".
March 2003: Birth of Alleged Daughter Elizaveta
In March 2003, Elizaveta (Luiza Rozova), allegedly Putin's daughter, was born.
2003: Chechen Constitution Referendum
In 2003, a referendum was held in Chechnya, adopting a new constitution that declared the Republic of Chechnya as part of Russia, while granting the region autonomy.
2003: End of Putin's "reform" years
In 2003, according to Sergey Guriyev, Vladimir Putin's first term concluded, marking the end of the "reform" years in his economic policy.
2003: UK Grants Asylum to Berezovsky, Straining Relations with Russia
In 2003, relations between Russia and the United Kingdom deteriorated after the United Kingdom granted political asylum to Putin's former patron, Boris Berezovsky.
2003: Rose Revolution in Georgia
In 2003, the Rose Revolution in Georgia led to frictions in the relations of those countries with Russia.
2003: Increased favorability of Putin in the U.S.
In February 2017, a Gallup poll revealed a positive view of Putin among 22% of Americans, the highest since 2003, following the election of Trump.
2003: Otto von Habsburg's Criticism
In a speech in 2003, Otto von Habsburg warned of Putin as an "international threat".
2003: Litvinenko became an MI6 agent
The end of 2006 brought more strained relations in the wake of the death by polonium poisoning in London of former KGB and FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko, who became an MI6 agent in 2003.
March 2004: Re-election to the Presidency
On 14 March 2004, Putin was elected to the presidency for a second term, receiving 71% of the vote.
September 2004: Beslan School Hostage Crisis
The Beslan school hostage crisis took place on 1–3 September 2004, resulting in the deaths of more than 330 people, including 186 children.
December 2004: Putin criticizes Rose and Orange revolutions
In December 2004, Putin criticized the Rose and Orange revolutions, warning of endless conflict in the post-Soviet space.
2004: End of the First Phase of National Reconstruction
Between 2000 and 2004, Putin began the reconstruction of Russia, reaching a 'grand bargain' with the Russian oligarchs, who maintained most of their powers in exchange for support of Putin's government.
2004: Freedom House Warns of Retreat from Freedom
In 2004, Freedom House warned that Russia's "retreat from freedom marks a low point not registered since 1989, when the country was part of the Soviet Union".
2004: Co-authored "Judo: History, Theory, Practice" in English
In 2004, Putin co-authored a book entitled "Judo: History, Theory, Practice" in English.
2004: Re-election as President
In 2004, Putin was re-elected as President of Russia for his second term.
2004: Re-election Campaign Managed by Litvinenko
In 2004, Vladimir Litvinenko again managed Putin's presidential election campaign in St Petersburg.
2004: Putin signs the Kyoto Protocol treaty
In 2004, Vladimir Putin signed the Kyoto Protocol treaty designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2004: Start of Putin's "statist" years
In 2004, according to Sergey Guriyev, Vladimir Putin's second term began, initiating the "statist" years in his economic policy.
2004: Changes to Election of Regional Governors
In 2004, the direct election of those heads (usually called "governors") by popular vote was replaced with a system whereby they would be nominated by the president and approved or disapproved by regional legislatures.
2005: Formation of Paramilitary Groups
Between 2005 and 2012, Putin allegedly organized a number of paramilitary groups loyal to himself and to the United Russia party.
2005: Russia Repays Soviet Union's Debts
By 2005, a fund for oil revenue allowed Russia to repay the Soviet Union's debts during Vladimir Putin's administration.
2005: Launch of National Priority Projects
In 2005, the National Priority Projects were launched to improve Russia's health care, education, housing, and agriculture, addressing the decline in the social safety net and life expectancy that preceded Putin's rule.
2005: Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan
In 2005, the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan led to frictions in the relations of those countries with Russia.
2005: Otto von Habsburg's Criticism
In a speech in 2005, Otto von Habsburg warned of Putin as an "international threat".
2005: Freedom House Lists Russia as "Not Free"
Since 2005, Freedom House has listed Russia as being "not free", citing democratic backsliding during Putin's tenure.
October 2006: Assassination of Anna Politkovskaya
On 7 October 2006, Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist who exposed corruption in the Russian army and its conduct in Chechnya, was shot in the lobby of her apartment building, on Putin's birthday, triggering international criticism regarding the protection of independent media.
2006: Planning the Russo-Georgian War
As early as 2006, Putin had already conceived the Russo-Georgian War and communicated it to his staff.
2006: Putin's Income
In 2006, Putin's reported income totaled 2 million rubles (approximately $152,000).
2006: Launch of Industry Consolidation Programme
In 2006, Vladimir Putin launched an industry consolidation program to bring the main aircraft-producing companies under a single umbrella organization, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).
2006: Relations Strained After Litvinenko's Death in London
The end of 2006 brought more strained relations in the wake of the death by polonium poisoning in London of former KGB and FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko.
January 2007: Meeting with Angela Merkel and the Dog Incident
In January 2007, Putin met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at his Black Sea residence, bringing his black Labrador Konni despite Merkel's phobia of dogs, causing discomfort and a media furor. He later apologized for not knowing about her phobia.
January 2007: Putin Favors Democratic Multipolar World
In a January 2007 interview, Putin stated Russia's support for a democratic multipolar world and strengthening international law.
February 2007: Putin's Munich Speech
In February 2007, Putin criticized the United States' "monopolistic dominance" and "hyper use of force" in international relations, resulting in what became known as the Munich Speech.
February 2007: Munich Security Conference Speech
In February 2007, at the Munich Security Conference, Putin criticized the dominant position of the United States in geopolitics and the feeling of insecurity it engendered.
May 2007: Act of Canonical Communion
On 17 May 2007, Vladimir Putin took an active personal part in promoting the Act of Canonical Communion with the Moscow Patriarchate, which restored relations between the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia after the 80-year schism.
June 2007: Putin's Approval Rating Reaches Second-Highest Globally
In a June 2007 public opinion survey, Putin's approval rating was 81%, the second-highest of any leader in the world that year, indicating strong public support.
June 2007: Putin presents counterproposal on missile shield
On 7 June 2007, Putin presented President George W. Bush with a counterproposal on the U.S. missile shield in Europe, which was declined.
July 2007: Suspension of Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
On 14 July 2007, Putin announced that Russia would suspend implementation of its Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe obligations, and suspend its ratification of the Adapted Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty.
August 2007: Russian Flag Planting at the North Pole
In August 2007, under Vladimir Putin's leadership, Russian expedition Arktika 2007 planted a flag on the seabed at the North Pole.
September 2007: Government Dissolved; Nuclear Bomber Exercises
On 12 September 2007, Putin dissolved the government upon the request of Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. On 19 September 2007, Putin's nuclear-capable bombers commenced exercises near the US, for the first time since the downfall of the USSR.
December 2007: United Russia Victory in Duma Elections
In December 2007, United Russia—the governing party that supports the policies of Putin—won 64.24% of the popular vote in their run for State Duma according to election preliminary results, indicating strong popular support for the Russian leadership.
December 2007: Russia suspends participation in treaty
On 11 December 2007, Russia suspended its participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty.
December 2007: Major Navy Sortie into the Mediterranean
On 5 December 2007, during a meeting with Vladimir Putin, Russian defense minister Anatoliy Serdyukov announced that 11 ships, including the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov, would take part in the first major navy sortie into the Mediterranean since Soviet times.
2007: Putin Predicts Russia Will Be One of World's Five Largest Economies
According to Meduza, Vladimir Putin has predicted on a number of occasions since 2007 that Russia will become one of the world's five largest economies.
2007: Putin visits Indonesia
In 2007, Putin became the first Russian or Soviet leader in half a century to visit Indonesia, leading to the signing of an arms deal and discussions of long-standing ties.
2007: Cultivating a Macho Image
In 2007, Putin cultivated a macho, outdoorsy public image by demonstrating his physical prowess and participating in unusual or dangerous acts.
2007: Time Person of the Year
In 2007, Putin was named Time Person of the Year.
2007: Sochi Wins Bid for 2014 Winter Olympics
In 2007, Vladimir Putin led a successful effort on behalf of Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2014 Winter Paralympics.
2007: Wealth Disclosure During Election
In 2007, official figures released during the legislative election put Putin's wealth at approximately 3.7 million rubles (US$280,000).
2007: CIA's estimate of Putin's wealth
In 2007, the CIA estimated Putin's wealth at $40 billion.
2007: Crisis in Relations Continues with Expulsion of Envoys
In 2007, the crisis in relations between Russia and the UK continued with the expulsion of four Russian envoys over Russia's refusal to extradite Andrei Lugovoi in the Litvinenko murder case.
2007: Belief in God
In 2007, when asked if he believed in God, Putin responded that there are things he believes that should not be shared with the public.
2007: "Dissenters' Marches" and Police Action
In early 2007, "Dissenters' Marches" organized by the opposition group The Other Russia were met by police action in several Russian cities, including interfering with the travel of protesters and arrests.
February 2008: Gazprom Threatens Ukraine with Stoppage of Flow
On 11 February 2008, while Putin addressed the 15th anniversary party of Gazprom, its employees threatened Ukraine with a stoppage of flow.
April 2008: Putin Becomes First Russian President to Visit Libya
In April 2008, Putin became the first Russian president to visit Libya, marking a new chapter in diplomatic relations.
April 2008: Rumors of Divorce and Engagement
In April 2008, the Moskovsky Korrespondent reported that Putin had divorced Lyudmila and was engaged to marry Alina Kabaeva, though the story was denied.
April 2008: Remarks at NATO Bucharest Summit
On 4 April 2008 at the NATO Bucharest summit, Putin told George W. Bush and other conference delegates: "We view the appearance of a powerful military bloc on our border as a direct threat to the security of our nation."
May 2008: Appointment as Prime Minister
On 8 May 2008, only a day after handing the presidency to Medvedev, Putin was appointed Prime Minister of Russia, maintaining his political dominance.
2008: Prime Minister Under Medvedev
From 2008 to 2012, Putin served as Prime Minister of Russia under Dmitry Medvedev due to constitutional term limits.
2008: Overcoming the Consequences of the World Economic Crisis
In 2008, Putin identified overcoming the consequences of the world economic crisis as one of the main achievements of his second premiership.
2008: Second Term as Prime Minister
In 2008, Putin served again as Prime Minister of Russia until 2012, following his presidential term.
2008: Abandonment of Socio-Economic Development Programme
In 2008, Vladimir Putin's "Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation for the Period 2000–2010" was abandoned, with only 30% completion.
2008: End of Putin's "statist" years and start of economic crisis and recovery
In 2008, according to Sergey Guriyev, the first half of the year marked the end of Vladimir Putin's "statist" years and the second half of the year began the world economic crisis and recovery period in his economic policy.
2008: Putin's warning on Ukraine and NATO
In 2008, at a NATO-Russia summit, Putin warned that Russia might annex eastern Ukraine and Crimea if Ukraine joined NATO, and told George W. Bush that "Ukraine is not even a state!".
2008: Extension of Presidential Terms
In 2008, shortly after Medvedev took office, presidential terms were extended from four to six years, effective with the 2012 election.
2008: Kazan Wins Bid for 2013 Summer Universiade
In 2008, the city of Kazan won the bid for the 2013 Summer Universiade.
2009: Public Confidence in Russian Economy Low
Despite high approval for Putin, public confidence in the Russian economy was low in 2016, rivaling levels from the 2009 global economic crisis.
2009: Gifting Expensive Watches
In 2009, Putin gifted a Blancpain watch to a Siberian boy and another similar watch to a factory worker.
2009: Clinton served as U.S. secretary of state
Putin has repeatedly accused Hillary Clinton, who served as U.S. secretary of state from 2009 to 2013 of interfering in Russia's internal affairs, and in December 2016, Clinton accused Putin of having a personal grudge against her.
2010: Remarks at German Trade Show
In 2010, at a German trade show, Putin remarked that if his hosts did not want Russia's natural gas or nuclear power, they could heat with wood, requiring them to log Siberia.
September 2011: Medvedev Announces Putin as Presidential Candidate
On 24 September 2011, at the United Russia party congress, Medvedev announced he would recommend the party nominate Putin as its presidential candidate.
November 2011: Berlusconi's Resignation
Mention of Berlusconi's resignation in November 2011, but relationship continued.
November 2011: Agreement setting a target of establishing the Eurasian Union signed
On 18 November 2011, the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia signed an agreement setting a target of establishing the Eurasian Union by 2015.
December 2011: Protests Against Alleged Electoral Fraud
In December 2011, tens of thousands of Russians protested against alleged electoral fraud, marking the largest protests during Putin's time.
2011: Putin Condemns Foreign Military Intervention in Libya
In 2011, Putin condemned the foreign military intervention in Libya, referring to the UN resolution as "defective and flawed" and criticizing the death of Muammar Gaddafi.
2011: Stabilizing Russia's population
In 2011, Putin identified stabilizing the size of Russia's population between 2008 and 2011 as one of the main achievements of his second premiership.
2011: Internet Leak of "Putin's Palace" Photographs
In 2011, photographs from inside the palace were leaked onto the Internet.
2011: All-Russia People's Front Set Up
In 2011, the All-Russia People's Front was set up, with Putin later being elected head of the movement in June 2013.
2011: Putin's Rating Falls to Lowest Since 2000 During Protests
In January 2013, at the time of the 2011–2013 Russian protests, Putin's rating fell to 62%, the lowest since 2000, reflecting public discontent.
2011: Ramzan Kadyrov's Statement on Putin
Prior to 2011, Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov stated that Putin saved both the Chechen people and Russia.
2011: Economist Intelligence Unit Rating
Since 2011, The Economist Intelligence Unit has rated Russia as "authoritarian".
March 2012: Putin Wins 2012 Presidential Election
On 4 March 2012, Putin won the 2012 Russian presidential election in the first round, with 63.6% of the vote, amid accusations of vote-rigging.
May 2012: Re-election and Restrictive Laws
Human Rights Watch claims that since May 2012, when Vladimir Putin was reelected as president, Russia has enacted many restrictive laws, started inspections of non-governmental organizations, harassed, intimidated and imprisoned political activists, and started to restrict critics.
May 2012: Inauguration and "May Decrees"
In May 2012, Putin's presidency was inaugurated in the Kremlin, and he issued 14 presidential decrees, known as the "May Decrees," outlining wide-ranging goals for the Russian economy.
June 2012: Putin Opposes Foreign Intervention in Syrian Civil War
In June 2012, in Paris, Putin rejected the statement of French president François Hollande who called on Bashar al-Assad to step down, echoing Assad's argument about anti-regime militants' responsibility.
August 2012: Russia Joins the World Trade Organization
In August 2012, Russia joined the World Trade Organization.
August 2012: Criticism over Villa Ownership
In August 2012, critics of Putin listed the ownership of 20 villas and palaces, nine of which were built during Putin's time in power.
2012: Crackdown on Liberal Media
According to Maria Lipman, the crackdown that followed Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin in 2012 extended to the liberal media.
2012: Return to Presidency and "Manual Management"
After Putin resumed the presidency in 2012, his rule is best described as 'manual management' as the Russians like to put it. Putin does whatever he wants, with little consideration to the consequences with one important caveat. Therefore, he cares about financial stability.
2012: Alleged Organization of Paramilitary Groups
Between 2005 and 2012, Putin allegedly organized a number of paramilitary groups loyal to himself and to the United Russia party.
2012: Gessen's Biography of Putin
In 2012, Masha Gessen wrote a biography of Putin, downplaying Putin's work as a KGB agent.
2012: "Rokirovka" Deal
In 2012, Medvedev allowed Putin to run for president, as the two men had long ago cut a deal to allow Putin to run for president. This switch was termed by many in the media as "Rokirovka".
2012: Patriarch Kirill Endorses Putin
In 2012, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow endorsed Vladimir Putin's election, stating Putin's terms were like "a miracle of God".
2012: Putin's Reported Income
In 2012, Putin reported an income of 3.6 million rubles ($270,000).
2012: Return to Presidency
In 2012, Putin returned to the presidency after serving as Prime Minister, marking his third term as president.
2012: Awarded Eighth Dan in Judo
In 2012, Putin was awarded eighth dan of the black belt in judo, becoming the first Russian to achieve the status.
2012: Birth of Grandson
In 2012, Putin's daughter Maria gave birth to a grandson.
2012: Allegations of "Putin's Palace" Construction
In 2012, Sergei Kolesnikov alleged that he was ordered to oversee the building of "Putin's Palace" for Putin's private use.
2012: Assured of a Third Term
In 2012, observers believed that Putin was assured of a third term, as Medvedev proposed Putin stand for the presidency at the United Russia Congress in September 2011.
2012: Founding of the Izborsky Club
In 2012, the Izborsky Club was founded by the conservative right-wing journalist Alexander Prokhanov.
2012: Effective Election Term
In 2012, the election was set as the effective year, in which presidential terms were extended from four to six years, in 2008.
2012: Mass Protests Against Election Falsification
The period after 2012 saw mass protests against the falsification of elections, censorship and toughening of free assembly laws.
January 2013: Putin's Rating Falls to Lowest Since 2000 During Protests
In January 2013, at the time of the 2011–2013 Russian protests, Putin's rating fell to 62%, the lowest since 2000, reflecting public discontent.
June 2013: Elected Head of All-Russia People's Front
In June 2013, Putin attended a televised rally of the All-Russia People's Front where he was elected head of the movement, which was set up in 2011.
June 2013: Adoption of Russian Gay Propaganda Law
In June 2013, the Russian gay propaganda law, which is against "homosexual propaganda", was adopted by the State Duma.
June 2013: Announcement of Marriage Ending
On 6 June 2013, Putin and Lyudmila announced that their marriage was over.
September 2013: Putin Urges Caution Against US Intervention in Syria
On 11 September 2013, The New York Times published an op-ed by Putin urging caution against US intervention in Syria and criticizing American exceptionalism.
2013: Forbes Ranking
In 2013, Forbes ranked Putin the World's Most Powerful Individual.
2013: Russia Press Freedom Ranking
In 2013, Reporters Without Borders ranked Russia 148 out of 179 countries in terms of freedom of the press.
2013: ICC Investigation of War Crimes in Ukraine
In 2013, The International Criminal Court (ICC) stated that it would investigate possible war crimes in Ukraine since 2013, and the US pledged to help the ICC to prosecute Putin for war crimes.
2013: Putin Says Russia is Among Top 5 Economies
In 2013, Vladimir Putin stated that Russia was one of the five biggest economies in terms of gross domestic product but still lagged behind other countries on indicators such as labor productivity.
2013: Gay Athletes at the Sochi Olympics
In 2013, Vladimir Putin stated that gay athletes would not face any discrimination at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
2013: End of economic crisis and recovery period
In 2013, according to Sergey Guriyev, the economic crisis and recovery period ended in Vladimir Putin's economic policy.
2013: US Cancels Summit After Putin Grants Asylum to Snowden
In late 2013, Russian-American relations deteriorated after the United States canceled a summit for the first time since 1960, due to Putin granting asylum to Edward Snowden.
2013: Clinton served as U.S. secretary of state
Putin has repeatedly accused Hillary Clinton, who served as U.S. secretary of state from 2009 to 2013 of interfering in Russia's internal affairs, and in December 2016, Clinton accused Putin of having a personal grudge against her.
February 2014: Putin accuses the West of orchestrating the ousting of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych
In February 2014, Putin stated that the ousting of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was orchestrated by the West, and that the new leaders in Ukraine were "nationalists, neo-Nazis, Russophobes and anti-Semites".
February 2014: Military Incursions into Ukrainian Territory
In February 2014, Russia made several military incursions into Ukrainian territory, including taking control of strategic positions in Crimea.
March 2014: Russia annexes Crimea
Following the Revolution of Dignity, in March 2014, the Russian Federation annexed Crimea, with Putin stating it was because "Crimea has always been and remains an inseparable part of Russia".
March 2014: Putin cites "Kosovo independence precedent" to justify recognizing the independence of Crimea
In March 2014, Putin used Kosovo's declaration of independence as a justification for recognizing the independence of Crimea, citing the so-called "Kosovo independence precedent".
April 2014: Finalization of Divorce
On 1 April 2014, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin's divorce from Lyudmila had been finalized.
July 2014: Yukos Shareholders Awarded Compensation
In July 2014, shareholders of Yukos were awarded $50 billion in compensation by the Permanent Arbitration Court in The Hague, underscoring the shift of Russia towards a system of state capitalism.
August 2014: Russian Military Vehicles Cross Border
In August 2014, Russian military vehicles crossed the border in several locations of Donetsk Oblast, leading to the defeat of Ukrainian forces.
August 2014: Putin's Approval Rating Reaches 87% After Sanctions
In August 2014, after EU and U.S. sanctions against Russian officials due to the Ukraine crisis, Putin's approval rating reached 87%, indicating a boost in support.
August 2014: Putin States Russians and Ukrainians are One People
In late August 2014, Putin stated that the Russian and Ukrainian peoples are practically one people.
October 2014: Addressed Russian Security Concerns at Valdai International Discussion Club
In October 2014, Putin addressed Russian security concerns in Sochi at the Valdai International Discussion Club.
2014: Henry Kissinger on Demonization of Putin
In 2014, Henry Kissinger wrote that the West had demonized Putin.
2014: Awarded Eighth-Degree Karate Black Belt
In 2014, Putin was awarded an eighth-degree karate black belt.
2014: Russia writes off Uzbek debt
In 2014, Russia agreed to write off Uzbek debt, further improving relations between the two countries.
2014: Sochi Winter Olympics and Paralympics
In 2014, Russia hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi, the first Winter Olympic Games ever hosted by Russia, due to the efforts led by Vladimir Putin in 2007.
2014: Russia Suspended from G8 After Annexation of Crimea
In 2014, Russia was suspended from the G8 group as a result of its annexation of Crimea. Putin gave a speech highly critical of the United States, accusing them of destabilizing world order.
2014: Deal to Supply China with Natural Gas and Person of the Year for Corruption
In 2014, Vladimir Putin signed a deal to supply China with 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. Also in 2014, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project named Putin their Person of the Year for furthering corruption and organized crime.
2014: Remarks on Homosexual Visitors to the Olympics
In 2014, responding to international concerns about Russia's legislation, Putin stated that homosexual visitors to the 2014 Winter Olympics should "leave the children in peace".
2014: Abbott Government denounced Putin's use of military force in Ukraine
The Abbott government denounced Putin's use of military force in Ukraine in 2014 as "bullying" and "utterly unacceptable".
January 2015: Eurasian Union established
On 1 January 2015, the Eurasian Union was established.
February 2015: Putin Ranked World's Most Popular Politician
In February 2015, based on domestic polling, Putin was ranked the world's most popular politician, showcasing his strong domestic support.
February 2015: John Kornblum's Article
In February 2015, former U.S. ambassador to Germany John Kornblum wrote in the Wall Street Journal.
June 2015: Putin's Approval Rating Climbs to All-Time High
In June 2015, Putin's approval rating climbed to 89%, an all-time high, reflecting a peak in public support.
July 2015: Defense of Russia's Sphere of Influence
In July 2015, Andrei Tsygankov opined that Putin was trying to defend nations in Russia's sphere of influence from "encroaching western power".
August 2015: OSCE Observation of Military Vehicles
In early August 2015, the OSCE observed over 21 vehicles marked with the Russian military code for soldiers killed in action.
September 2015: Military Intervention in Syrian Civil War
On 30 September 2015, President Putin authorized Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war, following a formal request by the Syrian government.
December 2015: Admission of Military Intelligence Officers in Ukraine
In December 2015, Putin admitted that Russian military intelligence officers were operating in Ukraine.
December 2015: Putin acknowledges Ukrainian Culture
In late December 2015, after stating that the Russian and Ukrainian peoples are practically one people, Putin stated: "the Ukrainian culture, as well as Ukrainian literature, surely has a source of its own".
2015: Director of the Levada Center stated conclusions from Russian poll results
In 2015 the director of the Levada Center stated that drawing conclusions from Russian poll results was irrelevant, because public opinion is formed by state-controlled media.
2015: Reported Birth of Daughter with Kabaeva
In 2015, Kabaeva reportedly gave birth to a daughter by Putin; this report was denied.
2015: Most Influential Person
In 2015, Putin was ranked No. 1 on Time's Most Influential People List.
2015: Larry Diamond's Assessment
In 2015, political scientist Larry Diamond stated that "no serious scholar would consider Russia today a democracy".
2015: British Government Launched a Public Inquiry into Litvinenko's Death
In 2015, the British Government launched a public inquiry into Litvinenko's death, presided over by Robert Owen, a former British High Court judge.
January 2016: Putin's Explanation of the Merkel Dog Incident
In a January 2016 interview with Bild, Putin claimed he was not aware of Angela Merkel's phobia during their 2007 meeting and apologized, stating he wanted to make her happy.
January 2016: Owen Report States Putin Likely Approved Litvinenko Murder
On 21 January 2016, the Owen report stated that "The FSB operation to kill Mr. Litvinenko was probably approved by Mr Patrushev and also by President Putin".
March 2016: Withdrawal of Russian Forces from Syria
On 14 March 2016, Putin announced that the mission he had set for the Russian military in Syria had been "largely accomplished" and ordered the withdrawal of the "main part" of the Russian forces from Syria.
April 2016: Panama Papers Leak
In April 2016, the Panama Papers leak revealed that close associates of Putin owned offshore companies worth US$2 billion.
November 2016: Putin Congratulates Donald Trump on U.S. Presidential Election Victory
On 9 November 2016, Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on becoming the 45th president of the United States.
December 2016: Putin Denies Russian Interference in U.S. Election
In December 2016, Putin denied any Russian interference in the U.S. election.
December 2016: US Intelligence Alleges Putin Approved Cyber Attacks During U.S. Election
In December 2016, US intelligence officials stated that Putin approved the email hacking and cyber attacks during the U.S. election against Hillary Clinton, which was denied by Putin's spokesman.
2016: Public Confidence in Russian Economy Low
Despite high approval for Putin, public confidence in the Russian economy was low in 2016, rivaling levels from the 2009 global economic crisis.
2016: Increase in Income Under Putin
From 2000 to 2016, under Vladimir Putin's administration, there was a 4.5 times increase in income in USD terms, fueled by the commodities boom.
2016: Alexei Navalny's Description
In 2016, Alexei Navalny described Putin as the "Tsar of corruption".
2016: Forbes Ranking
In 2016, Forbes ranked Putin the World's Most Powerful Individual.
2016: Praise from World Jewish Congress
In 2016, Ronald S. Lauder, the president of the World Jewish Congress, praised Vladimir Putin for making Russia "a country where Jews are welcome".
2016: Legislation Prohibiting Missionary Activity
In 2016, Vladimir Putin oversaw the passage of legislation that prohibited missionary activity in Russia.
2016: Key Information Passed About Putin's Involvement
In 2016, a CIA source passed key information in 2016 about Putin's direct involvement, allowing the source to pass key information in 2016 about Putin's direct involvement.
2016: Russia boosts relations with the Phillipines
In 2016, relations between Russia and the Philippines received a boost as Putin forged closer bilateral ties with Rodrigo Duterte.
January 2017: Putin states that U.S.-Russian Relations Deteriorate After Trump Takes Office
In January 2017, Putin stated that U.S.–Russian relations, already at the lowest level since the end of the Cold War, have continued to deteriorate after Trump took office.
January 2017: U.S. Intelligence Assessment on Election Interference
In January 2017, a U.S. intelligence community assessment expressed high confidence that Putin personally ordered an influence campaign to harm Hillary Clinton's electoral chances.
February 2017: Gallup Poll Reveals Increased Favorability of Putin in the U.S.
In February 2017, a Gallup poll revealed a positive view of Putin among 22% of Americans, the highest since 2003, following the election of Trump.
March 2017: Putin Denies Russian Interference in U.S. Election
In March 2017, Putin denied any Russian interference in the U.S. election.
June 2017: Putin Denies Russian Interference in U.S. Election
In June 2017, Putin denied any Russian interference in the U.S. election.
July 2017: Putin Denies Russian Interference in U.S. Election
In July 2017, Putin denied any Russian interference in the U.S. election.
2017: Putin criticizes violence in Myanmar
In 2017, Putin criticized violence in Myanmar against Rohingya minorities.
2017: Russia Gains Military Presence in Central African Republic
In 2017, Putin dispatched Russian PMCs to back the Touadéra regime in the Central African Republic Civil War, gaining a permanent military presence in return.
2017: Birth of Grandchildren
In 2017, Putin reportedly had another grandson through Maria and a granddaughter through Katerina.
2017: Interview with Oliver Stone
In a 2017 interview with Oliver Stone, Putin discussed his resignation from the KGB in 1991 and his reasons for leaving.
2017: Poll Indicates Putin Held Responsible for High-Level Corruption
Newsweek reported in 2017 that a poll indicated that 67% held Putin personally responsible for high-level corruption, highlighting a significant problem in Russia.
2017: Putin Highly Popular in Vietnam
Putin was also highly popular in some non-Western countries, such as Vietnam, where his approval rating was 89% in 2017.
March 2018: Sergei Skripal Poisoned with Novichok Nerve Agent
On 4 March 2018, former double agent Sergei Skripal was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury, leading to accusations against the Russian state.
May 2018: Fourth Term Inauguration and Government Formation
In May 2018, Putin's fourth term began, and he invited Dmitry Medvedev to form a new government.
July 2018: CIA's Russian Source
In July 2018, The New York Times reported that the CIA had long nurtured a Russian source who eventually rose to a position close to Putin, allowing the source to pass key information in 2016 about Putin's direct involvement.
October 2018: Decline in Putin's Popularity
In October 2018, a survey indicated that two-thirds of Russians believed that "Putin bears full responsibility for the problems of the country". This decline has been attributed to dwindling faith in the traditional Russian attitude of blaming lower officials for the failures of the leadership.
October 2018: Remarks on Nuclear War
On 18 October 2018, Putin said Russians will 'go to Heaven as martyrs' in the event of a nuclear war as he would only use nuclear weapons in retaliation.
December 2018: Autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
In December 2018, with the attainment of autocephaly by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, experts concluded that Putin's forceful engagement in post-Soviet republics backfired, leading to the loss of Ukraine and caution from other post-Soviet countries.
2018: Considered working as a taxi driver
According to Putin's statements in 2018 and 2021, he may have worked as a private taxi driver to earn extra money, or considered such a job.
2018: Forbes Ranking
In 2018, Forbes ranked Putin as the second most powerful individual.
2018: Forbes on Putin's Actions
In 2018, Forbes wrote that "Putin's actions are those of a dictator... As a leader with failing public support, he can only remain in power by using force and repression that gets worse by the day".
2018: Re-election as President
In 2018, Putin was re-elected as President of Russia for another term.
2018: Sensory Room Installation Allegation
In 2018, the Russian political magazine Sobesednik alleged that Putin had a sensory room installed in his private residence in the Novgorod Oblast.
January 2019: Historic Low in Trust for Putin
In January 2019, Putin's trust rating among Russians reached a historic low of 33%. Support among young Russians aged 17-25 was even lower, at 32%.
April 2019: Record Number of Russians Willing to Emigrate
An April 2019 Gallup poll showed a record 20% of Russians were willing to permanently emigrate from Russia. The decline was even larger in the 17–25 age group, "who find themselves largely disconnected from the country's aging leadership, nostalgic Soviet rhetoric and nepotistic agenda".
September 2019: Russia and Mongolia sign friendship treaty
In September 2019, Putin and his Mongolian counterpart signed a permanent treaty on friendship, enhancing trade and cultural exchanges between the two states.
September 2019: Interference in Regional Elections
In September 2019, Putin's administration interfered with the results of Russia's nationwide regional elections, inciting mass protests.
2019: Reported Birth of Twin Sons with Kabaeva
In 2019, Kabaeva reportedly gave birth to twin sons by Putin.
2019: Russia Joins the Paris Agreement
In 2019, Russia, under Vladimir Putin's leadership, joined the Paris Agreement.
2019: Launch of Power of Siberia project
In 2019, Vladimir Putin launched the Power of Siberia project, a major construction project to supply natural gas to China.
January 2020: Nomination of Mikhail Mishustin as Prime Minister
In January 2020, Putin nominated Mikhail Mishustin as Prime Minister, who was later confirmed by the State Duma.
January 2020: Medvedev's Government Resigns
On 15 January 2020, Medvedev and his entire government resigned after Putin's 2020 Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly.
March 2020: Formation of Working Group to Counteract COVID-19
On 15 March 2020, Putin instructed to form a Working Group of the State Council to counteract the spread of COVID-19.
March 2020: Assistance to Italy during COVID-19 Pandemic
On 22 March 2020, Putin arranged for the Russian army to send military medics and equipment to Italy to help with the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 2020: Putin Prolongs Non-Working Time and Addresses COVID-19
In April 2020, Putin extended the non-working period until April 30 due to COVID-19, comparing Russia's fight against the virus to historical battles. A Levada poll from April 24-27, 2020, showed 48% of Russians disapproved of Putin's handling of the pandemic.
May 2020: Putin's Approval Rating During COVID Crisis
In May 2020, amid the COVID crisis, Putin's approval rating was 68% when respondents were presented a list of names (closed question), and 27% when respondents were expected to name politicians they trust (open question).
June 2020: Political Prisoners in Russia
As of June 2020, per Memorial Human Rights Center, there were 380 political prisoners in Russia, including 63 individuals prosecuted for political activities and 245 prosecuted for their involvement with banned Muslim organizations.
June 2020: Putin Publishes Essay on World War II History
On 18 June 2020, The National Interest published a nine-thousand-word essay by Putin, titled "The Real Lessons of the 75th Anniversary of World War II", criticizing the Western historical view of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.
July 2020: Putin Changes Constitution to Extend Presidency
In July 2020, Putin signed an executive order, officially inserting amendments into the Russian Constitution, allowing him to run for two additional six-year terms. These amendments took effect on July 4, 2020.
July 2020: Khabarovsk Krai Protests and Public Support
In July 2020, protests in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, supporting arrested governor Sergei Furgal, gained traction and became increasingly anti-Putin. A July 2020 Levada poll indicated 45% of surveyed Russians supported these protests.
September 2020: Government Support Package for UAC
In September 2020, the UAC general director announced that the UAC would receive the largest-ever post-Soviet government support package for the aircraft industry to pay and renegotiate the debt.
November 2020: Allegation of Another Daughter
In November 2020, an investigation alleged that Putin has another daughter, Elizaveta, with Svetlana Krivonogikh.
December 2020: Low Support Among Young Russians
In December 2020, Putin's support among Russians aged 18–24 was only 20%, indicating a generational divide in the perception of his rule.
December 2020: Putin Grants Lifetime Immunity to Ex-Presidents
On December 22, 2020, Putin signed a bill granting lifetime prosecutorial immunity to Russian ex-presidents.
2020: Belton's Account of KGB Involvement
In 2020, Catherine Belton wrote about Putin's alleged involvement in KGB coordination and support for the terrorist Red Army Faction.
2020: Continued Attempts to Interfere in U.S. Election
In 2020, Putin continued similar attempts in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
2020: Putin Praises Bolsonaro's Masculine Qualities
In 2020, Putin told Jair Bolsonaro, "You express the best masculine qualities", praising his focus on his people's and country's interests.
2020: Law on Foreign Agents
In 2020, Vladimir Putin signed a law on labeling individuals and organizations receiving funding from abroad as "foreign agents".
2020: Definition of Marriage in the Constitution
In 2020, Vladimir Putin supported the Russian constitutional referendum, which passed and defined marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman in the Constitution of Russia.
2020: Abe's Resignation
In 2020, despite numerous meetings between Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe regarding the Japan-Russia territorial disputes and potential rail bridge construction, no agreement was signed before Abe's resignation.
2020: Constitutional Reference to God
One of the 2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia, under Vladimir Putin's leadership, has a constitutional reference to God.
January 2021: Navalny's Investigation of "Putin's Palace"
In January 2021, Alexei Navalny published a video investigation accusing Putin of using fraudulently obtained funds to build an estate for himself.
April 2021: Constitutional Amendments
In April 2021, Putin signed into law constitutional amendments allowing him to run for reelection twice more, potentially extending his presidency to 2036.
May 2021: Putin's Popularity in Moscow and Beyond
In May 2021, 33% of Moscow respondents indicated Putin in response to "who would you vote for this weekend?", while 40% outside Moscow indicated the same.
June 2021: Putin Emphasizes Voluntary Vaccination, Hints at Mandatory Policies
In June 2021, Putin announced he was fully vaccinated with Sputnik V, advocating for voluntary vaccinations but suggesting mandatory policies in some professions to curb COVID-19's spread.
July 2021: Putin publishes article on Russian and Ukrainian Unity
In July 2021, Putin published an article 'On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians', stating that a Ukrainian state hostile to Moscow was comparable to "the use of weapons of mass destruction against us".
July 2021: Putin Publishes Essay on Unity of Russians and Ukrainians
In July 2021, Putin published an essay titled "On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians," asserting that Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Russians should form one All-Russian nation, denying Ukraine's independent national existence.
October 2021: Survey Finds Majority Trust in Putin
A survey released in October 2021 found that 53% of respondents said they trusted Putin.
November 2021: The Economist on Putin's Shift
In November 2021, The Economist noted that Putin had "shifted from autocracy to dictatorship".
November 2021: Burns personal meeting with Putin
In November 2021, William Burns had a personal meeting with Putin
November 2021: Distrust of Putin Linked to Vaccine Hesitancy
Polls conducted in November 2021, following the failed Russian COVID-19 vaccination campaign, indicated that distrust of Putin was a major factor for vaccine hesitancy, with regional polls indicating numbers as low as 20–30% in the Volga Federal District.
2021: Considered working as a taxi driver
According to Putin's statements in 2018 and 2021, he may have worked as a private taxi driver to earn extra money, or considered such a job.
2021: Continuation of Protests in Khabarovsk Krai
In 2021, the protests that started in 2020 continued in the Khabarovsk Krai in Russia's Far East in support of the arrested regional governor Sergei Furgal.
February 2022: Invasion of Ukraine
In February 2022, during his fourth presidential term, Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to international condemnation and sanctions.
February 2022: Support for "Special Military Operation" in Ukraine
In late February 2022, a survey showed that 59% of respondents supported the "special military operation" in Ukraine, but among 18-to-24-year-olds, only 29% supported it.
February 2022: Putin Recognizes Separatist Republics and Addresses Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Putin signed a decree recognizing the independence of self-proclaimed separatist republics in Donbas and delivered an address regarding events in Ukraine.
March 2022: Removed from Positions in International Judo Federation
In March 2022, Putin was removed from all positions in the International Judo Federation (IJF) due to the Russian war in Ukraine.
March 2022: Public Sentiment on the "Special Military Operation"
In mid-March 2022, two polls showed that 71% of Russians supported the "special military operation" in Ukraine.
April 2022: Speculation about Parkinson's Disease
In April 2022, The Sun reported that Putin may have Parkinson's disease based on video footage; the Kremlin rejected the possibility.
July 2022: CIA Director on Putin's Health
In July 2022, the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, William Burns, stated they had no evidence to suggest Putin was unstable or in bad health.
September 2022: Annexation of Ukrainian Oblasts
In September 2022, Putin announced a partial mobilization and forcibly annexed four Ukrainian oblasts into Russia, escalating the conflict.
December 2022: Putin Acknowledges "Long Process" in War Against Ukraine
In December 2022, Putin acknowledged that the war against Ukraine could be a "long process."
December 2022: Putin calls the fighting in Ukraine a "war"
On 22 December 2022, Putin referred to the fighting in Ukraine as a "war" and on 25 December 2022, he stated that the goal of the invasion is to "unite the Russian people".
2022: Putin Among Least Popular Foreign Leaders in UK Survey
A survey conducted in the United Kingdom in 2022 found Putin to be among the least popular foreign leaders, with 8% of British respondents holding a positive opinion.
2022: Data unavailable since before invasion of Ukraine.
As of 2024, due to reporting military emissions being voluntary, no data is available since before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
2022: World Leaders Condemn Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leaders from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands condemned Putin's actions and the invasion.
2022: Russian Invasion of Ukraine and Media Control
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, state-controlled TV presented the invasion as a "special military operation" and liberation mission. Roskomnadzor ordered the country's media to employ information only from state sources, banning the words "war", "invasion", or "aggression".
2022: Increased Political Repressions After Launching Full-Scale War with Ukraine
In 2022, Putin increased political repressions after launching his full-scale war with Ukraine.
2022: Swiss Media Report on Kabaeva's Births
In 2022, Swiss media reported that Kabaeva gave birth to a boy on both occasions.
2022: Revocation of Honorary Doctorates
In 2022, some organizations revoked honorary doctorates and other awards given to Putin in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
2022: Beginning of the Special Military Operation
In 2022, the "Special Military Operation" in Ukraine began without preparation, according to Putin's later reflections.
2022: New Law on "False Information" and Conditions for Ending Invasion
In March 2022, Putin signed a law introducing prison sentences for publishing "knowingly false information" about the Russian military. The Kremlin demanded Ukraine's neutrality and recognition of Crimea and separatist republics as conditions for ending the invasion.
February 2023: Putin Suspends Russia's Participation in New START Treaty
On 21 February 2023, Vladimir Putin suspended Russia's participation in the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with the United States, escalating tensions.
March 2023: Xi Jinping Visits Russia Amidst ICC Warrant
In March 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia and met with Putin, marking Putin's first international meeting since the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest.
March 2023: ICC Arrest Warrant
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin for alleged war crimes related to illegal child abductions during the war in Ukraine.
May 2023: South Africa to Grant Diplomatic Immunity to Putin for BRICS Summit
In May 2023, South Africa announced it would grant diplomatic immunity to Putin to attend the 15th BRICS Summit.
June 2023: Poll Shows Potential Voters for 2024 Election
A poll by Levada, conducted on 22–28 June 2023, showed that 42% of respondents would vote for Putin in the 2024 presidential election.
June 2023: Wagner Group Rebellion Against Russian Government
On June 23, 2023, the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization, rebelled against the government of Russia amidst tensions between the Russian Ministry of Defense and Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.
July 2023: Putin Threatens Reciprocal Action and Withdraws from Grain Deal
In July 2023, Putin threatened "reciprocal action" if Ukraine used US-supplied cluster munitions and withdrew from the Black Sea grain export deal, risking a global food crisis.
July 2023: Putin to Skip BRICS Summit
In July 2023, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Putin would not attend the BRICS summit "by mutual agreement" and would instead send Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
August 2023: Casualties in Russo-Ukrainian War Reach Nearly 500,000
As of August 2023, the total number of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers killed or wounded during the invasion was nearly 500,000.
August 2023: Prigozhin Killed in Plane Crash
On August 23, 2023, exactly two months after the rebellion, Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed along with nine others in a plane crash in Tver Oblast. It is widely suspected that the Russian state were involved.
September 2023: Limited Active Support for the War in Ukraine
In September 2023, the head of the VTsIOM state pollster stated that only 10–15% of Russians actively supported the war in Ukraine, indicating that "most Russians are not demanding the conquest of Kyiv or Odesa".
November 2023: VCIOM Poll on 2024 Presidential Election
In November 2023, a VCIOM poll found that 37.3% of respondents would vote for Putin in the upcoming election.
November 2023: Putin Urges Women to Have More Children
On 28 November 2023, during a speech to the World Russian People's Council, Vladimir Putin urged Russian women to have "seven, eight, or even more children" and said "large families must become the norm, a way of life for all of Russia's people".
December 2023: Netanyahu Expresses Displeasure to Putin over Russia's Conduct at the UN and Growing Ties to Iran
In a December 2023 call, Benjamin Netanyahu expressed displeasure to Putin, over Russia's conduct at the UN and described its growing ties to Iran as dangerous.
December 2023: Putin Sets Aims for Peace in Ukraine
On 14 December 2023, Putin said, "there will only be peace in Ukraine when we achieve our aims", which he said are "de-Nazification, de-militarization and a neutral status" of Ukraine.
2023: Planned Increase in Defense and Security Spending
By the end of 2023, Vladimir Putin planned to spend almost 40% of public expenditures on defense and security.
2023: Der Spiegel Investigation
In 2023, Der Spiegel published an investigation discrediting the anonymous source claiming Putin's involvement with the Red Army Faction.
2023: Putin's reaction to the death of Silvio Berlusconi
When Berlusconi died in 2023, Putin described him as an "extraordinary man" and a "true friend".
February 2024: Interview with Tucker Carlson
Since the 2022 Ukraine invasion, Vladimir Putin has only once granted an interview to a Western journalist, namely Tucker Carlson in February 2024.
March 2024: VCIOM Poll on 2024 Presidential Election
According to a VCIOM poll conducted in early March 2024, 56.2% of respondents would vote for Putin.
March 2024: Re-election to Another Term
In March 2024, Putin was re-elected to another term as President of Russia.
March 2024: Crocus City Hall Attack
On 22 March 2024, the Crocus City Hall attack took place, causing the deaths of at least 145 people and injuring at least 551 more. It was the deadliest terrorist attack on Russian soil since the Beslan school siege in 2004.
May 2024: Putin Inaugurated for Fifth Term and Signals Shift to War Economy
On 7 May 2024, Putin was inaugurated as president of Russia for the fifth time. Replacing Sergei Shoigu with Andrey Belousov signals that Putin wants to transform the Russian economy into a war economy.
August 2024: Extensive Prisoner Exchange Between Russia and United States
On 2 August 2024, Putin pardoned American journalist Evan Gershkovich, opposition figures Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin and others in a prisoner swap with western countries. The 2024 Ankara prisoner exchange was the most extensive prisoner exchange between Russia and United States since the end of the Cold War, involving the release of twenty-six people.
September 2024: Putin Warns West of Nuclear Retaliation
On 25 September 2024, Putin warned the West that if attacked with conventional weapons Russia would consider a nuclear retaliation, in an apparent deviation from the no first use doctrine.
2024: Putin Expresses Regret on Timing of Special Military Operation
During the 2024 Year-End Review, President Putin expressed regret for not launching the "Special Military Operation" at the same time as the annexation of Crimea and with more preparation.
2024: Wouldn't Run For President in 2024
In May 2018, Putin announced that he would not run for president in 2024, justifying this in compliance with the Russian Constitution.
2024: Putin's Recent Election
In the most recent 2024 Russian presidential election, Putin achieved 88% of the popular vote. There were reports of irregularities at this election, including ballot stuffing and coercion.
2024: Putin Wins 2024 Russian Presidential Election
Putin won the 2024 Russian presidential election with 88.48% of the vote. International observers did not consider the election to be either free or fair.
2036: Potential End of Extended Presidency
In 2036, it is possible that Putin's presidency could extend up to this date, depending on the outcome of the re-elections.
