Prime Minister

NAME: VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVICH PUTIN

BORN: 7 October, 1952 in Leningrad

EDUCATION: *Mr Putin graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1975.  *Mr Putin later earned a Ph.D. degree in economics from Leningrad Mining Institute in strategic planning.

CAREER: *After graduation, Mr. Putin joined the KGB.  *He worked in East Germany for the KGB from 1985 to 1990.  *In 1990, Mr Putin became an assistant to the rector of Leningrad State University responsible for international affairs (believed to have been a KGB cover).  *His next position was an advisor to the chairman of the Leningrad City Council.  *In June 1991, he became chairman of the St. Petersburg City Council’s External Relations Committee and, starting in 1994, he combined this post with the position of First Deputy Chairman of the St. Petersburg City Government (First Deputy Mayor). *In August 1996, he was appointed deputy head of the President’s Administrative Directorate (Property Management Directorate), under Pavel Borodin. *In March 1997, he became deputy head of the Executive Office of the President (Presidential Administration) and head of the Central Supervision and Inspections Directorate. *In May 1998, he was promoted to First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration. *In July 1998, he was appointed Director of the Federal Security Service and, as of March 1999, he combined this position with that of Secretary of the Security Council. *In August 1999, he was appointed Prime Minister. *On December 31, 1999, he became acting President. *On March 26, 2000, he was elected President of Russia and on May 7, 2000 was inaugurated as president. *On March 14, 2004, he was elected President of Russia for a second term. *On 7 May 2008, Mr Putin was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

MISCELLANEOUS: *Married to Lyudmila Putin since 1983.  *They have two daughters: Maria (1985), Ekaterina (1986).  *Cannot splay right hand, possibly due to stroke in-vitro. *Believed to have plagiarised his doctoral thesis “strategic planning”. *Speaks German and English. *Favourite song: Yesterday, by the Beatles. *Favourite Snack: Kefir. *Favourite Food: Zakuski.  *Does not like to use telephone or email.  *Putin turns to his Chocolate Labrador Koni [Connie] and to 11th-century Persian poet Omar Khayyam when he is in low spirits.  *Member, National Glory Board.  *Head of the United Russia Party. *Has second dog, Tosya (a white poodle).  *Earned 2.6 million roubles in 2000, 2 million roubles in 2006, 4.7 million roubles in 2008, and 3.9 million roubles in 2009.

CHAIRS: *Government Commission on Monitoring Foreign Investment; *Council on Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship; *Commission on Budgetary Planning for the Upcoming Fiscal Year and the Planning Period; *Commission on State Border; *Commission on Regional Development; *Government Council on the Development of Russian Cinematography; *Government Commission on the Socio-Economic Development of the North Caucasus Federal District; *Coordination Council for Veterans’ Affairs under the Russian Government; *Commission on High Technologies and Innovations; and *Vneshekonombank.

Official Government Biography