Vladimir Putin (born 1952 in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg) is the President of Russia and one of the most influential political figures of the 21st century. A former KGB officer, he first became president in 2000 and has remained in power for over two decades, alternating between the roles of president and prime minister. Under his leadership, Russia has pursued centralized authority, assertive foreign policy, and a return to global prominence, while also facing criticism for democratic backsliding, human rights concerns, and its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.