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 and former intelligence officer. He has served as President of Russia since 2012, and previously from 2000 to 2008. He was also Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. Often described as the de facto leader of Russia since 2000, Putin's long tenure has significantly shaped the country's political landscape and international relations.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1972: U.S. Withdraws from Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty

In 1972, according to the Kremlin, the United States, under President George W. Bush, unilaterally withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, leading Putin to initiate a build-up of Russia's nuclear capabilities.

December 1999: "Russia at the Turn of the Millennium" Document Published

In December 1999, Putin's document, "Russia at the Turn of the Millennium", outlining his foreign policy objectives, appeared on the government's website.

May 2000: Decree Organizing Federal Subjects

On 13 May 2000, Vladimir Putin issued a decree organizing the 89 federal subjects of Russia into seven administrative federal districts, appointing a presidential envoy for each district.

July 2000: Putin meets Kim Jong Il in North Korea

In July 2000, Putin became the first Russian or Soviet leader to visit North Korea, meeting Kim Jong Il.

July 2000: Putin Gains Right to Dismiss Heads of Federal Subjects

In July 2000, Vladimir Putin gained the right to dismiss the heads of the 89 federal subjects, according to a law he proposed and the Federal Assembly of Russia approved.

October 2000: Declaration on Strategic Partnership Between India and Russia Signed

In October 2000, the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Russia was signed, becoming a historic step according to Putin in 2012.

2000: Putin co-authors "Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin"

In 2000, Vladimir Putin co-authored a book titled "Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin" in Russian.

2000: Putin elected President of Russia

Vladimir Putin has been nominated and elected as President of Russia all five times since 2000, typically under an independent banner.

2001: Russian territorial extension claim

In 2001 Russia made territorial extension claim.

2003: Rose Revolution in Georgia

In 2003, the Rose Revolution in Georgia led to frictions in the relations of the country with Russia.

December 2004: Putin Criticizes Rose and Orange Revolutions

In December 2004, Putin criticized the Rose and Orange revolutions, saying that permanent revolutions risk plunging the post-Soviet space into endless conflict.

2004: Putin co-authors "Judo: History, Theory, Practice" in English

In 2004, Vladimir Putin co-authored a book titled "Judo: History, Theory, Practice" in English.

2005: Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan

In 2005, the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan led to frictions in the relations of the country with Russia.

August 2007: Russian Expedition plants flag on seabed at North Pole

In August 2007, the Russian expedition Arktika 2007, which was part of research related to the 2001 Russian territorial extension claim, planted a flag on the seabed at the North Pole as Putin sought to increase Russian territorial claims and military presence in the Arctic.

December 2007: Major Navy Sortie into the Mediterranean Announced

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 participate in the first major navy sortie into the Mediterranean since Soviet times.

2007: Putin Visits Indonesia, Signs Arms Deal

In 2007, Putin became the first Russian or Soviet leader to visit Indonesia in half a century, resulting in the signing of an arms deal.

2007: Putin Leads Successful Effort for Sochi Olympics

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.

2008: Putin Allegedly Declares Russia Could Annex Ukrainian East and Crimea

In 2008, Putin allegedly declared at a NATO-Russia summit that if Ukraine joined NATO, Russia could contend to annex the Ukrainian East and Crimea.

2008: Kazan Wins Bid for Summer Universiade

In 2008, the city of Kazan won the bid for the 2013 Summer Universiade.

December 2010: Russia Wins Right to Host 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup

On 2 December 2010, Russia won the right to host the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup, for the first time in Russian history.

2011: Russia Boosts Relations with Vietnam

After 2011, Russia boosted relations with Vietnam, giving military and economic aid.

2011: Ramzan Kadyrov's statement about Putin saving the Chechen people and Russia

Prior to 2011, Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov stated that Putin saved both the Chechen people and Russia.

2012: Patriarch Kirill Endorses Putin's Election

In 2012, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow endorsed Putin's election, stating his terms were like "a miracle of God," marking close collaboration between Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church.

2012: Putin Writes Article in The Hindu

In 2012, Putin wrote an article in the Indian newspaper The Hindu, praising the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Russia signed in October 2000.

2012: Founding of Izborsky Club

In 2012, the Izborsky Club was founded by Alexander Prokhanov, stressing Russian nationalism and opposition to liberal ideas, under Putin's promotion of conservative policies.

2013: Putin States Gay Athletes Would Not Face Discrimination at Sochi Olympics

In 2013, Putin stated that gay athletes would not face any discrimination at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

February 2014: Ousting of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych

After the Russian annexation of Crimea, Putin said that the February 2014 ousting of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had been orchestrated by the West as an attempt to weaken Russia.

March 2014: Russian Federation Annexed Crimea

Following the Revolution of Dignity in March 2014, the Russian Federation annexed Crimea.

July 2014: Putin States Russia Will Use Entire Arsenal to Protect Russian Speakers Outside Russia

In a July 2014 speech during a Russian-supported armed insurgency in Eastern Ukraine, Putin stated he would use Russia's "entire arsenal of available means" up to "operations under international humanitarian law and the right of self-defense" to protect Russian speakers outside Russia.

2014: Sochi Hosts Winter Olympics and Paralympics

In 2014, Sochi hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the first time Russia hosted the Winter Olympic Games, after Putin's successful effort in 2007.

2016: Russia Boosts Relations with the Philippines

In 2016, the relations between Russia and the Philippines received a boost as Putin forged closer bilateral ties with his Filipino counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte.

2017: Putin Criticizes Violence in Myanmar

In 2017, Putin criticized violence in Myanmar against the Rohingya minorities.

2017: Russia to Host 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup

In 2017, Russia hosted the FIFA Confederations Cup, having won the right to host it in December 2010.

December 2018: Autocephaly of Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Schism of Russian Orthodox Church

With the attainment of autocephaly by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in December 2018 and subsequent schism of the Russian Orthodox Church from Constantinople, a number of experts came to the conclusion that Putin's policy of forceful engagement in post-Soviet republics significantly backfired on him, leading to a situation where he "annexed Crimea, but lost Ukraine".

2018: Russia to Host 2018 FIFA World Cup

In 2018, Russia hosted the FIFA World Cup, having won the right to host it in December 2010.

September 2019: Treaty on friendship signed between Russia and Mongolia

In September 2019, Putin and his Mongolian counterpart signed a permanent treaty on friendship between the two states.

September 2020: UAC Receives Government Support Package

In September 2020, the general director of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced that the UAC would receive the largest-ever post-Soviet government support package for the aircraft industry to pay and renegotiate debt.

2020: Putin Supports Efforts to Reduce Abortions

In 2020, Putin supported efforts to reduce the number of abortions in Russia instead of prohibiting it, differing from the stance of the Russian Orthodox Church.

2020: Putin Supported 2020 Russian Constitutional Referendum

In 2020, Putin supported the 2020 Russian constitutional referendum, which passed and defined marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman in the Constitution of Russia.

2020: Abe Resigns without Japan-Russia Territorial Dispute Agreement

In 2020, despite numerous meetings between Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, no agreement was signed regarding the Japan-Russia territorial disputes before Abe's resignation.

2021: Russia Pledges to Boost Ties with Myanmar Military Regime

Following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, Russia has pledged to boost ties with the Myanmar military regime.

October 2022: Putin Describes India and China as Close Allies and Partners

In October 2022, Putin described India and China as "close allies and partners."

2022: Anna Borshchevskaya Summarizes Putin's Foreign Policy Objectives

In her 2022 book, Anna Borshchevskaya summarizes Putin's main foreign policy objectives as originating in his 1999 document, which appeared on the government's website, "Russia at the Turn of the Millennium".

2022: Invasion of Ukraine

Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Putin has only once granted an interview to a Western journalist, namely Tucker Carlson in February 2024.

June 2023: Levada poll results on potential votes for Putin

In June 2023, a poll by the independent Levada organization indicated that 42% of respondents would vote for Putin in the 2024 presidential election.

November 2023: VCIOM poll on potential votes for Putin

In November 2023, a public opinion poll by the state-owned institution VCIOM, found that 37.3% of respondents would vote for Putin.

November 2023: Putin Urges Russian Women to Have More Children

On 28 November 2023, during a speech to the World Russian People's Council, 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".

February 2024: Putin Grants Interview to Tucker Carlson

In February 2024, since the 2022 Ukraine invasion, Putin granted an interview to Tucker Carlson, marking his first interview with a Western journalist.

March 2024: VCIOM poll on potential votes for Putin

According to a VCIOM poll conducted in early March 2024, 56.2% of respondents would vote for Putin.

May 2024: Putin's Fifth Inauguration and Defense Minister Replacement

In May 2024, Vladimir Putin was inaugurated as president of Russia for the fifth time. Also in May 2024, Sergei Shoigu was replaced by Andrey Belousov as defense minister, signaling a shift towards a war economy in preparation for a prolonged conflict.

2024: Putin achieves 88% of the popular vote in the Russian presidential 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.