Career Timeline of Vladimir Putin: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Vladimir Putin made an impact.
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician who has dominated Russian politics for over two decades. He served as President of Russia from 2000 to 2008, then as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012, and has been President again since 2012. A former intelligence officer, Putin is the longest-serving Russian president since the collapse of the Soviet Union. His leadership has been marked by a strong emphasis on national sovereignty and a centralized state.
1972: Withdrawal from the 1972 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.
1975: Joined KGB
In 1975, Vladimir Putin joined the KGB and trained at the 401st KGB School in Okhta, Leningrad.
September 1984: Further Training in Moscow
In September 1984, Vladimir Putin was sent to Moscow for further training at the Yuri Andropov Red Banner Institute.
1985: Served in Dresden, East Germany
From 1985 to 1990, Vladimir Putin served in Dresden, East Germany, using a cover identity as a translator.
1987: Violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
Some analysts believe that this nuclear strategy under Putin has brought Russia into violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
May 1990: Appointed Advisor to Mayor Sobchak
In May 1990, Vladimir Putin was appointed as an advisor on international affairs to Mayor Anatoly Sobchak in Saint Petersburg.
1990: End of Service in Dresden
In 1990, Vladimir Putin's service in Dresden, East Germany, came to an end.
1990: Returned to Leningrad
In early 1990, after the collapse of the Communist East German government, Vladimir Putin returned to Leningrad as a member of the "active reserves".
1990: Kyoto Protocol limits emissions
The Kyoto Protocol limits emissions to a percentage increase or decrease from 1990 levels.
June 1991: Head of Committee for External Relations
In June 1991, Vladimir Putin became the head of the Committee for External Relations of the Saint Petersburg Mayor's Office.
August 1991: Resigned from KGB
On August 20, 1991, Vladimir Putin stated that he resigned with the rank of lieutenant colonel on the second day of the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt against Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev.
1991: Resigned from KGB
In 1991, Vladimir Putin resigned from the KGB to begin a political career in Saint Petersburg.
1994: Kazakhstan proposes the idea of a Eurasian Union
In 1994, the president of Kazakhstan proposed the idea of a Eurasian Union.
1996: Moved to Moscow
In 1996, Vladimir Putin moved to Moscow to join President Boris Yeltsin's administration.
1996: Retained Position Until 1996
Vladimir Putin retained his position in the Saint Petersburg administration until 1996, despite investigations.
1997: Received Degree in Economics
In 1997, Vladimir Putin received a degree in economics (Candidate of Economical Sciences) at the Saint Petersburg Mining University.
1997: Appointed Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff
In 1997, Vladimir Putin's career in Moscow advanced with his appointment as deputy chief of the Presidential Staff.
1998: Appointed Director of FSB
In 1998, President Boris Yeltsin appointed Vladimir Putin as the director of the FSB, Russia's primary intelligence and security agency.
August 1999: Appointed Prime Minister
In August 1999, Vladimir Putin was appointed as the Prime Minister of Russia.
August 1999: Named First Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Prime Minister
In August 1999, Vladimir Putin's profile increased substantially when he was named one of the three First Deputy Prime Ministers, and later the acting Prime Minister following the dismissal of Sergei Stepashin's cabinet.
December 1999: "Russia at the Turn of the Millenium" document
In December 1999, Putin published the document "Russia at the Turn of the Millenium" on the government's website, outlining his foreign policy objectives which included addressing Russia's identity issues and countering anti-Western security narratives.
1999: Appointed Prime Minister of Russia
In 1999, Vladimir Putin was appointed as the Prime Minister of Russia.
1999: Start of "reform" years
Sergey Guriyev divided Putin's economic policy into four distinct periods: the "reform" years of his first term (1999–2003).
1999: Systematic Punishment of Journalists
Since 1999, Putin has systematically punished journalists who challenge his official point of view.
March 2000: Won Presidential Election
In March 2000, endorsed by Yeltsin as his preferred successor, Vladimir Putin capitalized on his law-and-order reputation and rose in popularity, winning the presidential election.
May 2000: Putin visits Tashkent
In May 2000, Putin visited Tashkent, Uzbekistan, marking improved relations after a period of lukewarm relations under Yeltsin.
May 2000: Elected President
In May 2000, Vladimir Putin was elected as the President of Russia for his first term.
May 2000: Decree on federal districts
On 13 May 2000, Vladimir 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
On 7 May 2000, Vladimir Putin was inaugurated after winning the presidential election.
July 2000: 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.
2000: Putin re-established stronger ties with Cuba
In 2000, Putin had re-established stronger ties with Fidel Castro's Cuba.
2000: Managed Election Campaigns
In 2000, Vladimir Litvinenko managed Vladimir Putin's presidential election campaigns in St Petersburg.
2000: First Presidential Term
In 2000, Vladimir Putin began his first term as the President of Russia.
2000: Putin co-authored "Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin" in Russian, and visited Japan
In 2000, Vladimir Putin co-authored a book titled "Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin" in Russian. During his visit to Japan in 2000, a small Japanese girl tossed him to the floor using a judo throw.
2000: Launched "Programme for the Socio-Economic Development"
In 2000, Vladimir Putin launched the "Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation for the Period 2000–2010".
2000: Putin first elected as President of Russia
Since 2000, Vladimir Putin has been nominated and elected as President of Russia all five times, typically under an independent banner.
2001: Russian territorial extension claim
In August 2007, Russian expedition Arktika 2007, part of research related to the 2001 Russian territorial extension claim, planted a flag on the seabed at the North Pole.
2003: End of "reform" years
Sergey Guriyev divided Putin's economic policy into four distinct periods: the "reform" years of his first term (1999–2003).
2004: Managed Election Campaigns
In 2004, Vladimir Litvinenko managed Vladimir Putin's presidential election campaigns in St Petersburg.
2004: Putin co-authored "Judo: History, Theory, Practice" in English
In 2004, Vladimir Putin co-authored a book titled "Judo: History, Theory, Practice" in English.
2004: Signed the Kyoto Protocol treaty
In 2004, Vladimir Putin signed the Kyoto Protocol treaty designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2004: Reelected President
In 2004, Vladimir Putin was reelected as the President of Russia.
2004: Changes to election of 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.
2004: Start of "statist" years
Sergey Guriyev divided Putin's economic policy into four distinct periods: the "statist" years of his second term (2004—the first half of 2008).
2005: Repaid Soviet Union's debts
A fund for oil revenue allowed Russia to repay Soviet Union's debts by 2005.
2006: Launched industry consolidation program for aircraft production
In 2006, Vladimir Putin launched an industry consolidation programme to bring the main aircraft-producing companies under a single umbrella organization, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).
January 2007: Putin favors a democratic multipolar world
In a January 2007 interview, Putin stated that Russia was in favor of a democratic multipolar world and strengthening the systems of international law.
February 2007: Putin criticizes US dominance in global relations in Munich Speech
In February 2007, Putin criticized what he called the United States' monopolistic dominance in global relations and "almost uncontained hyper use of force in international relations" during what became known as the Munich Speech.
May 2007: Act of Canonical Communion signed
As president, Vladimir Putin took an active personal part in promoting the Act of Canonical Communion with the Moscow Patriarchate, signed 17 May 2007, 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 81%
In June 2007, a public opinion survey showed Putin's approval rating at 81%, the second-highest of any leader in the world that year.
June 2007: Putin presents counterproposal on U.S. missile shield
On June 7, 2007, Putin publicly opposed plans for the U.S. missile shield in Europe and presented President George W. Bush with a counterproposal, which was declined.
August 2007: Russian expedition Arktika 2007 planted a flag on the seabed at the North Pole
In August 2007, Russian expedition Arktika 2007, part of research related to the 2001 Russian territorial extension claim, planted a flag on the seabed at the North Pole.
October 2007: Putin visits Iran for the Second Caspian Summit
On October 16, 2007, Putin visited Iran to participate in the Second Caspian Summit in Tehran, meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This was the first visit of a Soviet or Russian leader to Iran since Joseph Stalin in 1943. At a press conference, Putin stated that Caspian states have the right to develop peaceful nuclear programs without restrictions and described Iran as a "partner", while expressing concerns over the Iranian nuclear program.
December 2007: Major navy sortie into the Mediterranean
During his meeting with Vladimir Putin on 5 December 2007, 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.
December 2007: Russia suspends participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty
On December 11, 2007, Russia suspended its participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty.
2007: Predicted Russia will become one of the world's five largest economies
According to Meduza, Vladimir Putin has since 2007 predicted on a number of occasions that Russia will become one of the world's five largest economies.
2007: Cultivating a tough guy image
In 2007, Putin cultivated a cult of personality, projecting an outdoorsy, athletic "tough guy" image through extreme sports and interactions with wild animals. Komsomolskaya Pravda published a photo of a shirtless Putin with the headline "Be Like Putin".
2007: Sochi wins bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2014 Winter Paralympics
In 2007, Putin led a successful effort on behalf of Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2014 Winter Paralympics, the first Winter Olympic Games to ever be hosted by Russia.
April 2008: Putin becomes the first Russian president to visit Libya
In April 2008, Putin became the first Russian president to visit Libya.
2008: Served as Prime Minister
From 2008 to 2012, Vladimir Putin served as Prime Minister of Russia under Dmitry Medvedev, due to constitutional term limits.
2008: Kazan wins the bid for the 2013 Summer Universiade
In 2008, the city of Kazan won the bid for the 2013 Summer Universiade.
2008: World economic crisis and recovery
Sergey Guriyev divided Putin's economic policy into four distinct periods: the world economic crisis and recovery (the second half of 2008–2013).
2008: Abandoned "Programme for the Socio-Economic Development"
The "Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation for the Period 2000–2010" was abandoned in 2008 when it was 30% complete.
2010: Target year for "Programme for the Socio-Economic Development"
In 2000, Putin launched the "Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation for the Period 2000–2010", but it was abandoned in 2008 when it was 30% complete.
November 2011: Eurasian Union Agreement Signed
On November 18, 2011, the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia signed an agreement with the target of establishing the Eurasian Union by 2015.
2011: Ramzan Kadyrov states that Putin saved the Chechen people and Russia
Prior to 2011, Chechen Republic head and Putin supporter, Ramzan Kadyrov, stated that Vladimir Putin saved both the Chechen people and Russia.
May 2012: Restrictive Laws and Crackdown on Activists after Putin's Reelection
In May 2012, after Vladimir Putin was reelected as president, Russia enacted restrictive laws, inspected non-governmental organizations, harassed, intimidated, and imprisoned political activists. These laws include the "foreign agents" law, the treason law, and the assembly law, which have been criticized for censoring speech and restricting dissent.
June 2012: Putin opposes foreign intervention in Syrian civil war
In June 2012, in Paris, Putin rejected French President François Hollande's call for Bashar al-Assad to step down, echoing Assad's argument that anti-regime militants were responsible for much of the bloodshed. He questioned the results of previous NATO interventions, asking about the safety and future of Libya and Iraq.
August 2012: Joined the World Trade Organization
Russia joined the World Trade Organization in August 2012.
2012: Resumption of presidency
After Putin resumed the presidency in 2012, his rule is best described as 'manual management'.
2012: Founding of the Izborsky Club
In 2012, the Izborsky Club, founded by Alexander Prokhanov, was created. It emphasizes Russian nationalism, restoration of Russia's historical greatness, and opposition to liberal ideas and policies.
2012: Crackdown Extended to Liberal Media
In 2012, the crackdown extended to the liberal media, which had until then been allowed to operate fairly independently.
January 2013: Putin's approval rating falls to 62%
In January 2013, at the time of the 2011–2013 Russian protests, Putin's approval rating fell to 62%, the lowest since 2000.
September 2013: Putin publishes op-ed in The New York Times urging caution against US intervention in Syria
On September 11, 2013, The New York Times published an op-ed by Putin urging caution against US intervention in Syria and criticizing American exceptionalism. Putin subsequently helped to arrange for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.
2013: Russia as one of the five biggest economies
In 2013, Vladimir Putin said Russia was one of the five biggest economies in terms of gross domestic product but still lagged behind other countries on indicators such as labour productivity.
2013: End of world economic crisis and recovery
Sergey Guriyev divided Putin's economic policy into four distinct periods: the world economic crisis and recovery (the second half of 2008–2013).
August 2014: Putin's approval rating reaches 87% amid Russo-Ukrainian war
In August 2014, amid increased diplomatic isolation and international sanctions due to the Russo-Ukrainian war, Putin's approval rating reached 87%.
2014: Russia agrees to write off Uzbek debt
In 2014, Russia agreed to write off Uzbek debt during a meeting, furthering improved relations between the two countries.
2014: Sochi hosts the Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics
In 2014, Sochi hosted the Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics, marking the first time Russia hosted the Winter Olympic Games.
2014: Deal to supply China with natural gas and financial crisis
In 2014, Vladimir Putin signed a deal to supply China with 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. The ongoing financial crisis began in the second half of 2014 when the Russian ruble collapsed due to a decline in the price of oil and international sanctions against Russia.
2014: Annexation of Crimea
In 2014, Vladimir Putin's tenure was punctuated by significant foreign policy actions, including the controversial annexation of Crimea.
January 2015: Eurasian Union Established
On January 1, 2015, the Eurasian Union was established, following an agreement signed in November 2011 by Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, furthering Eurasian integration.
June 2015: Putin's approval rating climbs to all-time high of 89%
In June 2015, Putin's approval rating climbed to 89%, an all-time high. Observers attributed this to improvements in living standards and Russia's reassertion on the world stage during his presidency.
2015: Putin strengthens support for Assad regime in Syria
In 2015, Putin took a stronger pro-Assad stance and mobilized military support for the regime in Syria. Some analysts have summarized Putin as being allied with Shiites and Alawites in the Middle East.
2016: Increase in income under Putin administration
Fueled by the 2000s commodities boom including record-high oil prices, under the Putin administration from 2000 to 2016, an increase in income in USD terms was 4.5 times.
2017: Putin dispatches Russian PMCs to 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: Putin's approval rating in Vietnam reaches 89%
In 2017, Putin's approval rating was 89% in Vietnam.
2017: Russia hosts the FIFA Confederations Cup
2018: Reelected President
In 2018, Vladimir Putin was reelected as the President of Russia.
October 2019: Putin visits the United Arab Emirates and secures investment deals
In October 2019, Putin visited the United Arab Emirates, where six agreements were struck with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. One of them included shared investments between Russian sovereign wealth fund and the Emirati investment fund Mubadala. The two nations signed deals worth over $1.3 billion in energy, health, and advance technology sectors.
2019: Russia joined the Paris Agreement
In 2019 Russia joined the Paris Agreement.
2019: Launched Power of Siberia
Power of Siberia, which Putin has called the "world's biggest construction project", was launched in 2019 and is expected to continue for 30 years at an ultimate cost to China of $400bn.
June 2020: Putin publishes essay on World War II
On June 18, 2020, The National Interest published a nine-thousand-word essay by Putin, titled "The Real Lessons of the 75th Anniversary of World War II".
September 2020: UAC to receive government support
In September 2020, the UAC general director announced that the UAC will receive the largest-ever post-Soviet government support package for the aircraft industry in order to pay and renegotiate the debt.
April 2021: Signed Constitutional Amendments
In April 2021, Vladimir Putin signed constitutional amendments into law, potentially allowing him to extend his presidency to 2036.
May 2021: Poll indicates 33% in Moscow and 40% outside Moscow would vote for Putin
In May 2021, 33% indicated Putin in response to "who would you vote for this weekend?" among Moscow respondents and 40% outside Moscow.
October 2021: Survey finds 53% of respondents trust Putin
A survey released in October 2021 found 53% of respondents saying they trusted Putin.
March 2022: Putin removed from all positions in the International Judo Federation
In March 2022, Vladimir Putin was removed from all positions in the International Judo Federation (IJF) because of the Russian war in Ukraine.
2022: 2022 invasion of Ukraine
As of 2024, no data is available since before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
June 2023: Levada poll shows 42% would vote for Putin in 2024
A poll by the independent organization Levada, which was conducted on 22–28 June 2023, showed that 42% of respondents would vote for Putin in the 2024 presidential election.
November 2023: VCIOM poll finds 37.3% would vote for Putin
A public opinion poll by the state-owned institution VCIOM, which was conducted in November 2023, found that 37.3% of respondents would vote for Putin.
December 2023: Putin indicates terms for negotiation with Ukraine
On December 14, 2023, President Putin indicated that Russia would only negotiate with Ukraine "when we achieve our objectives" and stated that another mobilization wasn't required as "617,000" Russian soldiers were fighting in Ukraine.
2023: Planned spending on defense and security
By the end of 2023, Vladimir Putin planned to spend almost 40% of public expenditures on defense and security.
February 2024: Interview with Tucker Carlson
In February 2024, Putin granted an interview to Tucker Carlson, marking the first time since the 2022 Ukraine invasion that he engaged with a Western journalist.
March 2024: VCIOM poll indicates 56.2% would vote for Putin
According to a VCIOM poll conducted in early March 2024, 56.2% of respondents would vote for Putin.
March 2024: Reelected to Another Term
In March 2024, Vladimir Putin was reelected to another term as President of Russia.
May 2024: Inaugurated as President for the fifth time
In May 2024, Vladimir Putin was inaugurated as president of Russia for the fifth time. Analysts suggest replacing Sergei Shoigu with Andrey Belousov as defense minister signals a shift towards a war economy and preparation for long-term conflict. Putin also expressed readiness to end the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire to avoid further mobilization and war spending.
August 2024: Pardoned Evan Gershkovich and others in prisoner swap
In August 2024, Vladimir 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 between Russia and United States since the end of the Cold War, involving the release of 26 people.
2024: No data is available
As of 2024, no data is available since before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
2024: Putin achieves 88% of the popular vote in the Russian presidential election
In the 2024 Russian presidential election, Vladimir Putin achieved 88% of the popular vote amidst reports of irregularities, including ballot stuffing and coercion. Russian authorities claimed that in occupied areas of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, Putin won 88.12% and 92.83% of votes respectively and in Chechnya, Putin won 98.99% of the vote.
May 2025: Approved Alexander Novak's coal industry bailout plan
In May 2025, Vladimir Putin approved Alexander Novak's coal industry bailout plan.
May 2025: Victory Day parade in Moscow
In May 2025, Vladimir Putin attended the Victory Day parade in Moscow with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and other foreign leaders.
2035: Burning more fossil fuels
Russia's energy strategy to 2035 is mostly about burning more fossil fuels.
2036: Potential End of Extended Presidency
In 2036, Vladimir Putin's presidency could potentially extend to this year, based on constitutional amendments.
2060: Russia's goal to reach net zero
Russia's goal is to reach net zero by 2060.
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