Q: When did Vladimir Putin first become President of Russia?
A: Vladimir Putin first became President of Russia on December 31, 1999, after President Boris Yeltsin announced his resignation and named Putin, the then-Prime Minister, as acting president.
Q: Has Putin served terms as Prime Minister as well?
A: Yes, Putin served as Prime Minister of Russia from 1999, before his first presidential term, and again from May 8, 2008, after being barred from running for a third consecutive term as President, with Dmitry Medvedev taking the presidential role.
Q: What are some significant events during Putin’s tenure?
A: Significant events include the tax police raiding the offices of NTV, a popular independent broadcaster, on May 11, 2000, and the arrest of oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky on October 25, 2003. Internationally, Putin’s remarks in April 2005 that the collapse of the Soviet Union was “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century” caused alarm among international observers.
Q: How has Putin managed to extend his time in office?
A: Constitutional changes, such as the ones approved by a referendum on July 1, 2020, have allowed Putin to potentially remain in office until 2036. These changes reset his previous terms, enabling him to run for two more six-year terms after his current term ends.
Q: What legal protections has Putin secured for himself and other presidents?
A: On December 22, 2020, Putin signed bills granting lifetime immunity from prosecution for former presidents.
Q: Are there any legal charges against Putin?
A: Yes, on September 30, 2023, the International Criminal Court issued a war crimes indictment against Putin, accusing him of unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine.
Q: When is Putin expected to run for his next term?
A: Putin is expected to seek a fifth term as Russian president in the March elections and, without significant opposition, extend his two-decade grip on power into the 2030s.
