[424], Critics state that Putin has moved Russia in an autocratic direction. Putin grew close to fellow Leningrader Anatoly Chubais and moved up in administrative positions.

[366] 10 days later, the British government formally accused the Russian state of attempted murder, a charge which Russia denied. by He also revealed that the two men had long ago cut a deal to allow Putin to run for president in 2012. [156] OSCE monitors further stated that they observed vehicles transporting ammunition and soldiers' dead bodies crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border under the guise of humanitarian-aid convoys. "[301], Putin spoke favorably of artificial intelligence in regards to foreign policy, "Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind. [165] However, this policy shift can be understood[by whom?] The gradual transition to the majority professional army by the late 2010s was announced, and a large programme of supplying the Armed Forces with new military equipment and ships was started.

[268], The resumption of long-distance flights of Russia's strategic bombers was followed by the announcement by Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov during his meeting with Putin on 5 December 2007, that 11 ships, including the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov, would take part in the first major navy sortie into the Mediterranean since Soviet times.[269][270]. His mother was a devoted Christian believer who attended the Russian Orthodox Church, while his father was an atheist. An avid outdoorsman, Putin publicly promotes sports, including skiing, cycling, fishing, and horseback riding as a healthy way of life for the Russian people.

[396] By May 2014, following the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and annexation of Crimea, Putin's approval rating had rebounded to 85.9%, a six-year high. [158] According to The Moscow Times, Russia has tried to intimidate and silence human-rights workers discussing Russian soldiers' deaths in the conflict. [109] United Russia's victory in the December 2007 elections was seen by many as an indication of strong popular support of the then Russian leadership and its policies. In his annual address to the Duma in March 2018, just days before the election, Putin claimed that the Russian military had perfected nuclear missiles with “unlimited range” that would render NATO anti-missile systems “completely worthless.” While U.S. officials expressed doubts about their reality, Putin’s claims and saber-rattling tone ratcheted up tensions with the West but nurtured renewed feelings of national pride among Russian voters.

The next day, he was confirmed by the State Duma to the post[192][193] and appointed Prime Minister by Putin's decree. He established a good relationship with Patriarchs of the Russian Church, the late Alexy II of Moscow and the current Kirill of Moscow.

"[517] Putin's rumoured confessor is Russian Orthodox Bishop Tikhon Shevkunov. While both Putin and Trump have repeatedly denied the allegations, the social media website Facebook admitted in October 2017 that political ads purchased by Russian organizations had been seen by at least 126 million Americans during the weeks leading up to the election. Mark Woods, a Baptist minister and contributing editor to Christian Today, provides specific examples of how the Church has backed the expansion of Russian power into Crimea and eastern Ukraine.

This bargain allowed the oligarchs to maintain most of their powers, in exchange for their explicit support for—and alignment with—Putin's government. By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Business Insider [466][467] Forbes ranked him the World's Most Powerful Individual every year from 2013 to 2016.

", Sirke Mäkinen, "Surkovian narrative on the future of Russia: making Russia a world leader.". [265][266] According to the JTA, Putin is popular amongst the Russian Jewish community, who see him as a force for stability. Therefore, he cares about financial stability.

[351], In December 2016, US intelligence officials (headed by James Clapper) quoted by CBS News stated that Putin approved the email hacking and cyber attacks during the U.S. election, against the democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. [167][168] After Putin's announcement on 14 March 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,[169] Russian forces deployed in Syria continued to actively operate in support of the Syrian government. A selection of our best stories daily based on your reading preferences. [237], Fueled by the 2000s commodities boom including record high oil prices,[10][11] under the Putin administration from 2000 to 2016, an increase in income in USD terms was 4.5 times. I have never taken it off since. Although he was virtually unknown, Putin’s public-approval ratings soared when he launched a well-organized military operation against secessionist rebels in Chechnya.