Challenges Faced by Vladimir Putin: Obstacles and Turning Points

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Vladimir Putin

Life is full of challenges, and Vladimir Putin faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician who has dominated Russian politics for over two decades. He served as President of Russia from 2000 to 2008 and again from 2012 to the present. He also held the position of Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000 and 2008 to 2012. Prior to his political career, Putin was a KGB intelligence officer. His tenure has been marked by a centralization of power, economic reforms (initially), and a more assertive foreign policy. He is the longest-serving Russian president since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

1942: Father Wounded

In 1942, during the early stage of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, Putin's father, who served in the regular army, was severely wounded.

1960: US Cancels Summit

In 2013, the United States canceled a summit with Russia for the first time since 1960 after Putin gave asylum to Edward Snowden.

1972: US Withdrawal from Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty

According to the Kremlin, 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.

1973: UN Security Council Resolution 1973

In 2011, Putin criticized NATO's intervention in Libya, describing the 1973 United Nations Security Council Resolution as defective.

1987: Potential Violation of Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

Some analysts believe that the nuclear strategy under Putin has brought Russia into violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

1989: Confrontations with Anti-Communist Protesters

In 1989, while stationed in Dresden, Vladimir Putin recounted his confrontations with anti-communist protestors who attempted to occupy Stasi buildings in the city.

1996: Remained Head of the Committee for External Relations

Despite recommendations to be fired, Vladimir Putin remained head of the Committee for External Relations until 1996.

August 1998: Russian Financial Crash Teaches Putin a Lesson

During the Russian financial crash of August 1998, Putin learned that financial crises are politically destabilizing and must be avoided at all costs.

1999: Systematic Punishment of Journalists Challenging Putin's Viewpoint

According to Scott Gehlbach, since 1999, Putin has systematically punished journalists who challenge his official point of view.

August 2000: Criticism over Kursk submarine disaster

In August 2000, Vladimir Putin faced criticism for his handling of the Kursk submarine disaster.

2000: Low approval ratings in 2000

Putin's approval ratings were the lowest since 2000 in January 2013.

October 2002: Moscow theater hostage crisis

In October 2002, the Moscow theater hostage crisis occurred. Despite the deaths of 130 hostages, Putin's public approval ratings increased to 83%.

2002: Otto von Habsburg criticizes Putin

In a newspaper interview in 2002, Otto von Habsburg warned of Putin as an "international threat", that he was "cruel and oppressive", and a "stone cold technocrat".

2003: Otto von Habsburg criticizes Putin

In 2003, Otto von Habsburg warned of Putin as an "international threat", that he was "cruel and oppressive", and a "stone cold technocrat".

2003: Russia Opposes Iraq War and Relations with the West Deteriorate

In 2003, Russia strongly opposed the U.S. when it waged the Iraq War, leading to a deterioration of relations with the West. According to Russia scholar Stephen F. Cohen, the U.S. media's narrative, influenced by the White House, became anti-Putin.

2003: Deterioration of Russia-UK Relations

In 2003, relations between Russia and the United Kingdom deteriorated when the United Kingdom granted political asylum to Putin's former patron, oligarch Boris Berezovsky.

2003: Rose Revolution in Georgia

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

2003: Alexander Litvinenko Becomes an MI6 agent

The end of 2006 brought more strained relations between the UK and Russia 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.

September 2004: Beslan school hostage crisis

The Beslan school hostage crisis took place from September 1–3, 2004, resulting in the deaths of more than 330 people, including 186 children.

December 2004: Criticism of Rose and Orange Revolutions

In December 2004, Putin criticized the Rose and Orange revolutions, saying: "If you have permanent revolutions you risk plunging the post-Soviet space into endless conflict".

2004: Freedom House warns of Russia's 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: Beslan School Siege

In 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.

2005: Russia listed as "not free" by Freedom House

In 2005, Freedom House listed Russia as "not free", citing democratic backsliding during Vladimir Putin's tenure. Experts generally do not consider Russia to be a democracy due to purges, jailing of political opponents, curtailed press freedom, and the lack of free and fair elections.

2005: Otto von Habsburg criticizes Putin

In 2005, Otto von Habsburg warned of Putin as an "international threat", that he was "cruel and oppressive", and a "stone cold technocrat".

2005: Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan

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

October 2006: Murder of Anna Politkovskaya

On October 7, 2006, Anna Politkovskaya was shot in the lobby of her apartment building, triggering international criticism and accusations that Putin had failed to protect the country's new independent media.

2006: Putin planned the Russo-Georgian War

As early as 2006, Putin imagined and communicated the Russo-Georgian War to his staff, which eventually started and finished in August 2008.

2006: Alexander Litvinenko's Death by Polonium Poisoning

The end of 2006 brought more strained relations between the UK and Russia 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.

February 2007: Putin Criticizes U.S. Dominance in Munich Speech

In February 2007, Putin delivered a speech in Munich criticizing what he called the United States' monopolistic dominance in global relations and the "almost uncontained hyper use of force in international relations." He argued this policy stimulated an arms race, and NATO Secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer found the speech disappointing.

June 2007: Putin Opposes U.S. Missile Shield and Presents Counterproposal

In June 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.

December 2007: Russia Suspends Participation in Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty

On December 11, 2007, Russia suspended its participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty.

2007: Diplomatic Crisis Between Russia and the UK

In 2007, the crisis in relations between the UK and Russia continued with the expulsion of four Russian envoys over Russia's refusal to extradite former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi to face charges in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. Russia retaliated by expelling UK diplomats.

2007: "Dissenters' Marches" and Police Action

In early 2007, "Dissenters' Marches" organized by the opposition group The Other Russia were met by police action, including interfering with the travel of protesters and arrests.

February 2008: Putin Opposes Kosovo's Declaration of Independence

In February 2008, Putin opposed Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia, warning that it would destabilize the international relations system.

February 2008: Gazprom threatens Ukraine

On February 11, 2008, during Putin's address at Gazprom's anniversary party, Gazprom employees threatened Ukraine with a stoppage of gas flow.

April 2008: Putin warns of NATO expansion

In April 2008, at the NATO Bucharest summit, Putin told George W. Bush that the appearance of a powerful military bloc on Russia's border was a direct threat to national security.

August 2008: 2008 South Ossetia War

In August 2008, Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili attempted to restore control over South Ossetia, leading to the 2008 South Ossetia War where Russian forces entered South Ossetia and other parts of Georgia.

August 2008: Russo-Georgian War

The Russo-Georgian War both started and finished in August 2008. This was imagined by Putin and communicated to his staff as early as 2006.

2008: World Economic Crisis and Recovery (Guriev)

According to Sergey Guriyev, the second half of 2008 marks the beginning of the world economic crisis and recovery period, lasting until 2013.

2009: Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

During his premiership, the 2009 RussiaUkraine gas dispute occurred, with Putin controlling the Gazprom chessboard.

2009: Economic crisis

In 2009, at the height of the global economic crisis, public confidence in the Russian economy was low.

2009: Hillary Clinton as 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.

2010: Socio-Economic Development Programme Abandoned

In 2010, the "Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation for the Period 2000–2010" was abandoned when it was 30% complete.

December 2011: Protests against electoral fraud

After the parliamentary elections on December 4, 2011, tens of thousands of Russians protested against alleged electoral fraud, criticizing Putin and United Russia.

2011: Russian Protests

During the 2011 Russian protests, Putin's approval rating fell to 62%.

2011: Putin condemns military intervention in Libya

In 2011, Putin criticized the foreign military intervention in Libya, calling the UN resolution "defective and flawed" and referring to Muammar Gaddafi's death as a "planned murder" by the US.

2011: Russia rated as "authoritarian" by The Economist Intelligence Unit

In 2011, The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Russia as "authoritarian", a change from its previous classification as a "hybrid regime."

2011: Putin Criticizes NATO Intervention in Libya

In 2011, the NATO-led military intervention in Libya prompted criticism from world leaders, including Putin, who called United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 "defective and flawed".

March 2012: Putin wins the presidential election

On March 4, 2012, Putin won the Russian presidential election in the first round with 63.6% of the vote, despite widespread accusations of vote-rigging and criticism from opposition groups and international observers.

May 2012: Russia Enacts Restrictive Laws After Putin's Reelection

Since May 2012, when 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.

June 2012: Putin opposes foreign intervention in Syria

In June 2012, during a visit to Paris, Putin rejected French President François Hollande's call for Bashar al-Assad to step down, arguing that anti-regime militants were responsible for much of the bloodshed.

August 2012: Critics list Putin's ownership of villas and palaces

In August 2012, critics of Vladimir Putin listed the ownership of 20 villas and palaces, nine of which were built during Putin's 12 years in power.

2012: Crackdown Extended to Liberal Media

According to Maria Lipman, in Foreign Affairs claims, "The crackdown that followed Putin's return to the Kremlin in 2012 extended to the liberal media, which had until then been allowed to operate fairly independently".

2012: Legislation against the LGBT community

In 2012 and 2013, Putin and the United Russia party backed stricter legislation against the LGBT community, in Saint Petersburg, Archangelsk, and Novosibirsk.

2012: Sergei Kolesnikov exposes "Putin's Palace"

In 2012, Sergei Kolesnikov, a former business associate of Vladimir Putin's, told the BBC's Newsnight programme that he had been ordered to oversee the building of "Putin's Palace".

2012: Returned to the presidency

In 2012, Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency of Russia following an election marked by fraud allegations and protests.

2012: Putin Resumes Presidency with "Manual Management" Style

In 2012, after Putin resumed the presidency, his rule was characterized as "manual management", where he makes decisions with little regard to consequences, prioritizing financial stability to avoid political destabilization.

2012: "Foreign Agent" Legislation Adopted

The 2020 law on labelling individuals and organizations receiving funding from abroad as "foreign agents" is an expansion of "foreign agent" legislation adopted in 2012.

2012: Mass Protests Against Election Falsification and Censorship

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 62%

In January 2013, during the 2011–2013 Russian protests, Putin's approval rating fell to 62%, the lowest since 2000.

June 2013: Adoption of the Russian gay propaganda law

In June 2013, the State Duma adopted a law called the Russian gay propaganda law, which is against "homosexual propaganda" (which prohibits such symbols as the rainbow flag, as well as published works containing homosexual content).

2013: End of World Economic Crisis and Recovery (Guriev)

According to Sergey Guriyev, 2013 marks the end of the world economic crisis and recovery period.

2013: Russia Among Five Biggest Economies but Lags in Labor Productivity

In 2013, 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: Russia Ranked Low in Press Freedom

In 2013, Reporters Without Borders ranked Russia 148 in its list of 179 countries in terms of freedom of the press, criticizing the crackdown on the political opposition and the failure to bring to justice criminals who have murdered journalists.

2013: US Cancels Summit After Putin Grants Asylum to Snowden

In late 2013, Russian-American relations deteriorated when the United States canceled a summit for the first time since 1960, after Putin gave asylum to American Edward Snowden, who had leaked classified information from the NSA.

2013: Hillary Clinton as 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.

2013: ICC Investigates Possible War Crimes in Ukraine Since 2013

The International Criminal Court (ICC) stated that it would investigate possible war crimes in Ukraine since 2013. The US pledged to help the ICC to prosecute Putin for war crimes.

February 2014: Russian military incursions into Ukraine

In February 2014, Russia made several military incursions into Ukrainian territory after the Euromaidan protests. Russian soldiers without insignias took control of strategic positions and infrastructure within Crimea.

March 2014: Annexation of Crimea

Following the Revolution of Dignity in March 2014, the Russian Federation annexed Crimea, stating it was done because "Crimea has always been and remains an inseparable part of Russia".

March 2014: Putin Justifies Crimea Recognition Using Kosovo Precedent

In March 2014, Putin used Kosovo's declaration of independence as a justification for recognizing the independence of Crimea, citing the "Kosovo independence precedent".

August 2014: Russian military vehicles cross into Ukraine

In August 2014, Russian military vehicles crossed the border in several locations of Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian authorities saw this incursion by the Russian military as responsible for the defeat of Ukrainian forces in early September.

October 2014: Putin addresses Russian security concerns

In October 2014, Putin addressed Russian security concerns in Sochi at the Valdai International Discussion Club.

November 2014: Movement of troops and equipment from Russia into Ukraine

In November 2014, the Ukrainian military reported intensive movement of troops and equipment from Russia into the separatist-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine.

2014: Start of Russo-Ukrainian War, Isolation and Stagnation (Guriev)

According to Sergey Guriyev, 2014 marks the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War, Russia's growing isolation from the global economy, and stagnation.

2014: Abbott Threatens to 'Shirtfront' Putin at G20 Summit

Amid calls to ban Putin from attending the 2014 G20 Summit, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he would "shirtfront" (challenge) the Russian leader over the shooting down of MH17 by Russian-backed rebels. Putin denied responsibility.

2014: Russia Suspended from G8 After Crimea Annexation

In 2014, Russia was suspended from the G8 group as a result of its annexation of Crimea. Putin gave a speech critical of the United States, accusing them of destabilizing world order.

2014: Comments 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" but denied there was any "professional, career or social discrimination" against homosexuals in Russia.

2014: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project names Putin Person of the Year

In 2014, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project named Putin their Person of the Year for furthering corruption and organized crime.

2014: Putin Attends G20 Brisbane Summit

Putin visited Australia again for the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit. The Abbott government denounced Putin's use of military force in Ukraine as "bullying" and "utterly unacceptable".

2014: Russian Ruble Collapses Amid Financial Crisis

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, leading to loss of investor confidence and capital flight.

July 2015: Shift in Russian foreign policy

In July 2015, Andrei Tsygankov opined that Putin's annexation of Crimea had initiated a completely new type of Russian foreign policy and that his foreign policy had shifted "from state-driven foreign policy" to taking an offensive stance to recreate the Soviet Union.

August 2015: OSCE observes vehicles marked with Russian military code

As of early August 2015, the OSCE observed over 21 such vehicles marked with the Russian military code for soldiers killed in action.

September 2015: Russian military intervention in Syrian civil war

On September 30, 2015, President Putin authorized Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war, following a formal request by the Syrian government for military help against rebel and jihadist groups.

October 2015: Russia redeploys units to Syria

In October 2015, The Washington Post reported that Russia had redeployed some of its elite units from Ukraine to Syria in recent weeks to support Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

December 2015: Putin admits Russian military intelligence officers in Ukraine

In December 2015, Putin admitted that Russian military intelligence officers were operating in Ukraine.

2015: Putin described as a dictator by Garry Kasparov and for turning Russia into raw materials colony of China by Boris Nemtsov.

In 2015, political opponent Garry Kasparov described Putin as a "dictator", and opposition politician Boris Nemtsov said that Putin was turning Russia into a "raw materials colony" of China.

2015: Larry Diamond's Assessment of Russian Democracy

In 2015, political scientist Larry Diamond stated that "no serious scholar would consider Russia today a democracy".

2015: British Government Launches Public Inquiry into Litvinenko's Death

In 2015, the British Government launched a public inquiry into Litvinenko's death, presided over by Robert Owen.

2015: Levada Center director comments on Russian polls

In 2015, the director of the Levada Center stated that drawing conclusions from Russian poll results or comparing them to polls in democratic states was irrelevant due to the lack of real political competition and the influence of state-controlled media.

January 2016: Publication of the Owen Report on Litvinenko's Death

On January 21, 2016, the Owen report, a public inquiry into Litvinenko's death, 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

After Putin's announcement on March 14, 2016 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, Russian forces deployed in Syria continued to actively operate in support of the Syrian government.

April 2016: Panama Papers Leak

In April 2016, 11 million documents belonging to Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca were leaked. Though Vladimir Putin's name does not appear, the leak revealed that close associates of Putin own offshore companies worth US$2 billion in total.

December 2016: Putin denies interference in U.S. election

In December 2016, Putin denied any Russian interference in the U.S. election, as did Trump.

December 2016: US Intelligence Accuses Putin of Approving Cyber Attacks

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 Putin's spokesman denied.

2016: Legislation Prohibiting Missionary Activity Passed

In 2016, Putin oversaw the passage of legislation that prohibited missionary activity in Russia.

2016: Putin described as the 'Tsar of corruption' by Alexei Navalny

In 2016, opposition activist and blogger Alexei Navalny described Putin as the "Tsar of corruption".

2016: Low public confidence in Russian economy

In 2016, public confidence in the Russian economy dropped to levels rivaling the lows in 2009 during the global economic crisis.

2016: CIA nurtured a Russian source

In 2016, the CIA had long nurtured a Russian source who eventually rose to a position close to Putin, allowing the source to pass key information about Putin's direct involvement in interference with the U.S. elections.

January 2017: Putin States US-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 Russian interference

In January 2017, a U.S. intelligence community assessment expressed high confidence that Putin personally ordered an influence campaign, initially to denigrate Hillary Clinton and to harm her electoral chances and potential presidency, then later developing "a clear preference" for Donald Trump.

March 2017: Putin denies interference in U.S. election

In March 2017, Putin denied any Russian interference in the U.S. election, as did Trump.

June 2017: Putin denies interference in U.S. election

In June 2017, Putin denied any Russian interference in the U.S. election, as did Trump.

July 2017: Putin denies interference in U.S. election

In July 2017, Putin denied any Russian interference in the U.S. election, as did Trump.

2017: Poll indicates public holds Putin responsible for corruption

In 2017, Newsweek reported that a poll "indicated that 67% held Putin personally responsible for high-level corruption".

March 2018: Sergei Skripal Poisoned in Salisbury

On March 4, 2018, former double agent Sergei Skripal was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury. Later in March, the British government accused the Russian state of attempted murder, a charge which Russia denied.

July 2018: Report on 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: Russians hold Putin responsible for country's problems

In October 2018, two-thirds of Russians surveyed agreed that "Putin bears full responsibility for the problems of the country".

December 2018: Ukrainian Orthodox Church Attains Autocephaly

With the attainment of autocephaly by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in December 2018 and subsequent schism of the Russian Orthodox Church from Constantinople, experts concluded that Putin's forceful engagement in post-Soviet republics backfired.

2018: Forbes' Assessment of Putin as a Dictator

Following the jailing of Alexei Navalny in 2018, Forbes described Vladimir Putin's actions as those of a dictator, suggesting he relies on force and repression due to failing public support.

January 2019: Russians' trust in Putin hits historic low

In January 2019, the percentage of Russians trusting Putin hit a then-historic low—33%.

April 2019: Record number of Russians willing to emigrate

In April 2019, a Gallup poll showed a record number of Russians, 20%, willing to permanently emigrate from Russia.

September 2019: Interference in regional elections

In September 2019, Putin's administration interfered with the results of Russia's nationwide regional elections and manipulated it by eliminating all candidates in the opposition which contributed to inciting mass protests for democracy, leading to large-scale arrests and cases of police brutality.

January 2020: Medvedev Resigns Following Putin's Address

In January 2020, Dmitry Medvedev and his government resigned after Vladimir Putin's Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly, where Putin suggested constitutional amendments that could extend his political power. Medvedev continued to exercise his powers until a new government was formed and was suggested by Putin to take the post of deputy chairman of the Security Council.

March 2020: Putin Arranges Aid to Italy and Works Remotely

In March 2020, Vladimir Putin arranged for the Russian army to send medical aid to Italy, which was heavily impacted by COVID-19. Putin also began working remotely, undergoing daily COVID-19 tests.

March 2020: Working Group Formed to Counter COVID-19 Spread

In March 2020, Vladimir Putin instructed the formation of a Working Group of the State Council, headed by Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, to counteract the spread of COVID-19.

April 2020: Putin Extends Non-Working Time Amidst COVID-19

In April 2020, Vladimir Putin extended the non-working time until April 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public disapproval of Putin's handling of the crisis was noted in a Levada poll.

May 2020: Putin's approval rating amid COVID crisis

In May 2020, amid the COVID crisis, Putin's approval rating was 68% in a closed question and 27% in an open question, attributed to economic stagnation and an apathetic response to the pandemic.

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, directly or indirectly, for political activities (including Alexey Navalny) and 245 prosecuted for their involvement with one of the Muslim organizations that are banned in Russia.

July 2020: Support of Khabarovsk Krai Protests

In July 2020, a Levada poll found that 45% of surveyed Russians supported the 2020 protests held in the Khabarovsk Krai in Russia's Far East in support of arrested regional governor Sergei Furgal, which became increasingly anti-Putin over time.

December 2020: Putin's support among young Russians at 20%

In December 2020, Putin's support among Russians aged 18–24 was only 20%, indicating a generational struggle over perception of his rule.

2020: Law on Labelling Individuals and Organizations as Foreign Agents

In 2020, Putin signed a law on labelling individuals and organizations receiving funding from abroad as "foreign agents".

2020: Abe's Resignation

In 2020, Shinzo Abe resigned as Prime Minister before any agreement could be signed between Putin and Abe regarding the Japan-Russia territorial disputes.

2020: Continued attempts in the 2020 U.S. presidential election

Putin continued similar interference attempts in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

January 2021: Navalny's investigation into Putin's Palace

On January 19, 2021, two days after Alexei Navalny was detained upon his return to Russia, a video investigation by him and the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) was published accusing Vladimir Putin of using fraudulently obtained funds to build the estate for himself in what he called "the world's biggest bribe".

November 2021: The Economist notes Putin's shift to dictatorship

In November 2021, The Economist noted that Vladimir Putin had "shifted from autocracy to dictatorship".

November 2021: Putin Addresses NATO Expansion as a Red Line

In November 2021, Vladimir Putin stated that NATO enlargement in Ukraine was a "red line" issue for Russia.

November 2021: Distrust of Putin contributes to vaccine hesitancy

Polls conducted in November 2021, after the failure of a Russian COVID-19 vaccination campaign, indicated that distrust of Putin was a major contributing factor for vaccine hesitancy, with regional polls indicating numbers as low as 20–30% in the Volga Federal District.

2021: Khabarovsk Krai Protests

In 2021, protests continued to be held in the Khabarovsk Krai in Russia's Far East in support of arrested regional governor Sergei Furgal. The 2020 Khabarovsk Krai protests became increasingly anti-Putin over time.

February 2022: Invasion of Ukraine

In February 2022, during his fourth presidential term, Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to international condemnation and sanctions.

February 2022: Survey on support for "special military operation"

In late February 2022, a survey found that 59% of respondents supported the "special military operation" in Ukraine, with only 29% support in the 18-to-24-year-old group.

February 2022: Putin Recognizes Separatist Republics in Donbas

On February 21, 2022, Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing the two self-proclaimed separatist republics in Donbas as independent states and addressed the events in Ukraine.

February 2022: Forced Deportations of Ukrainian Children to Russia

Since 24 February 2022, a publicized program of forced deportations of thousands of unaccompanied Ukrainian children to Russia, from areas of eastern Ukraine under Russian control was started.

March 2022: Ukrainians' unfavorable view of Putin and Russia

In March 2022, 97% of Ukrainians had an unfavorable view of Putin, and 98% did not believe any part of Ukraine was rightfully part of Russia. A poll published on 30 March in Russia saw Putin's approval rating jump from 71% in February to 83%.

March 2022: Removal from the International Judo Federation

In March 2022, Vladimir Putin was removed from all positions in the International Judo Federation (IJF) due to the Russian war in Ukraine.

March 2022: Polls survey Russians' sentiments about the "special military operation"

In mid-March 2022 two polls surveyed Russians' sentiments about the "special military operation" in Ukraine with results obtained by Radio Liberty, showing 71% of Russians polled supporting the operation.

September 2022: Annexation of Ukrainian Oblasts

In September 2022, Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization and forcibly annexed four Ukrainian oblasts into Russia.

September 2022: Putin signals openness to ceasefire

On 23 December 2023, Vladimir Putin was reported as signaling through intermediaries since September 2022 that he is open to a ceasefire that freezes the fighting along the current lines.

December 2022: Prosecutions for Criticizing the War in Ukraine

As of December 2022, more than 4,000 people were prosecuted for criticizing the war in Ukraine under Russia's war censorship laws.

December 2022: Putin Acknowledges War Could Be a Long Process

In December 2022, Vladimir Putin stated that the war against Ukraine could be a "long process".

December 2022: Speech to Security Council Calling Ukraine Fighting a War

On 22 December 2022, Putin addressed the Security Council, referring to the fighting in Ukraine as a "war" rather than a "Special Military Operation".

2022: Putin's Popularity in the United Kingdom

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: Condemnation of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, several Pacific leaders, including the prime ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands, condemned Putin and the invasion.

2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine and media censorship

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, state-controlled media presented the invasion as a "special military operation" and liberation mission, with Roskomnadzor ordering media to use only state sources and banning the use of "war", "invasion", or "aggression".

2022: Condemnations of Putin Following Invasion of Ukraine

In 2022, following mounting civilian casualties during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden called Vladimir Putin a war criminal and "murderous dictator". The Ukrainian envoy to the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya, likened Putin to Adolf Hitler. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins also compared the Russian leader to Hitler, calling him a deluded autocrat.

2022: SMO start in Ukraine

In 2022, the SMO began in Ukraine without preparation. President Putin later regretted not starting it at the same time as the annexation of Crimea and with more "preparation".

2022: Law on False Information About the Military

In March 2022, Putin signed a law introducing prison sentences of up to 15 years for publishing 'knowingly false information' about the Russian military. Additionally, Russia's demographic crisis deepened due to emigration, lower fertility rates and war casualties.

2022: Increased Political Repressions After War With Ukraine

Vladimir Putin increased political repressions after launching his full-scale war with Ukraine in 2022.

January 2023: Recognition of Annexed Territories as Condition for Peace

In January 2023, Vladimir Putin cited recognition of Russia's sovereignty over the annexed territories as a condition for peace talks.

February 2023: Russia Suspends Participation in New START Treaty

On February 21, 2023, Putin suspended Russia's participation in the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with the United States.

March 2023: ICC Arrest Warrant

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes related to illegal child abductions during the war.

March 2023: ICC Issues Arrest Warrant for Putin

On 17 March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, alleging criminal responsibility in the illegal deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

June 2023: Wagner Group Rebellion

On 23 June 2023, the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization, rebelled against the government of Russia due to escalating tensions between the Russian Ministry of Defense and Yevgeny Prigozhin.

July 2023: Putin Threatens Reciprocal Action and Withdraws From Grain Deal

In July 2023, Vladimir Putin threatened "reciprocal action" if Ukraine used US-supplied cluster munitions. Additionally, on July 17, Putin withdrew from the deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain across the Black Sea.

August 2023: Casualties of Russo-Ukrainian War

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 23 August 2023, exactly two months after the rebellion, Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed along with nine others when a business jet crashed in Tver Oblast. It is suspected that the Russian state was involved.

September 2023: Limited active support for the war in Ukraine

In September 2023, the head of the VTsIOM state pollster Valery Fyodorov said in an interview that only 10–15% of Russians actively supported the war in Ukraine, and that "most Russians are not demanding the conquest of Kyiv or Odesa".

November 2023: Putin Claims Russia Ready for Talks

In November 2023, Vladimir Putin claimed Russia was always "ready for talks" to end the "tragedy" of the war in Ukraine, and accused Ukrainian leadership of rejecting peace talks.

December 2023: Putin Press Conference on Ukraine Negotiations

On 14 December 2023, President Putin held a press conference where he indicated that Russia would only negotiate with Ukraine "when we achieve our objectives". He stated that another mobilization wasn't required as "617,000" Russian soldiers were fighting in Ukraine.

December 2023: Putin States Aims for Peace in Ukraine

On 14 December 2023, Vladimir 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.

March 2024: Crocus City Hall Attack

On 22 March 2024, the Crocus City Hall attack took place, resulting in at least 145 deaths and 551 injuries. This was the deadliest terrorist attack on Russian soil since 2004.

May 2024: Putin Inaugurated for Fifth Term and Signals Shift to War Economy

On 7 May 2024, Vladimir Putin was inaugurated as president of Russia for the fifth time. Analysts believe the replacement of Sergei Shoigu with Andrey Belousov as defense minister signals a shift to a war economy. In May 2024, Russian sources indicated Putin was ready to end the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire, avoiding further mobilization and war spending.

September 2024: Putin Warns West of Nuclear Retaliation

In September 2024, Vladimir Putin cautioned the West that Russia would contemplate a nuclear response if attacked with conventional weapons, seemingly deviating from its no-first-use policy. Putin further threatened nuclear powers, stating they would be considered participants in aggression if they supported an attack on Russia. Experts suggest Putin's warning aimed to deter the United States, the United Kingdom, and France from allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russia.

2024: No Military Emission Data Available Since Before 2022 Invasion of Ukraine

As of 2024, no data is available on Russian military emissions since before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

2024: Regret Over Timing of "Special Military Operation"

During the 2024 Year-End Review, President Putin was asked if there were regrets from the “Special Military Operation”.

2024: Putin Achieves 88% of the Popular Vote in Presidential Election

In the 2024 Russian presidential election, Vladimir Putin achieved 88% of the popular vote. There were reports of irregularities at this election, 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. In Chechnya, Putin won 98.99% of the vote.