In a extensively anticipated victory, Russian President Vladimir Putin was reelected for a fourth time period Sunday, delighting supporters, dismaying detractors and triggering hypothesis over what lies in retailer for the Jap European nation below six extra years of the previous KGB intelligence officer. Beneath Russian regulation, the president is elected each six years, with a restrict of two consecutive phrases.
Throughout his 18 years main Russia, 4 of them as prime minister, Putin has entrenched authoritarian rule, executed plans for expansionism and engendered each pals and foes on the worldwide political stage.
However like him or detest him, Putin has emerged as one of many world’s most influential figures. Listed here are highlights and lowlights of his rule.
2000
Because the youngest Russian chief since dictator Josef Stalin, the 47-year-old Putin was sworn in because the nation’s second democratically elected president Might 7. A month later he held a summit in Moscow with President Clinton. Regardless of signing a pair of arms management agreements, the 2 leaders did not compromise on a nationwide missile protection system.
2001
Russia and the U.S. engaged in tit-for-tat expulsions of 50 of every others’ diplomats over accusations of spying, in what was the largest such espionage tiff since 1986. Putin downplayed the seriousness of the spat, saying he didn't suppose it could “have large penalties,” the Related Press reported.
2002
In February, Putin voiced robust opposition to U.S. navy motion towards Iraq, arguing that Iraq had not supported the Taliban in Afghanistan and warning that an assault on Iraq may undermine the worldwide coalition towards terrorism.
Within the fall, Putin confronted terrorists on his doorstep when armed Chechens seized 850 hostages in a Moscow theater. He approved the navy to pump an undisclosed chemical agent into the constructing in a botched rescue try. About 130 hostages died.
2003
In an effort to curb opposition, Putin moved to rein within the media with the closure of the final impartial Russian TV station. New media guidelines prompted protest over censorship and elevated restrictions of journalists’ freedom. New legal guidelines made it unlawful for the media to touch upon elections.
2004
In March, Putin campaigned as an impartial and decisively received a second time period. Later within the 12 months, he consolidated his maintain on energy, setting guidelines for appointing Russia’s regional governors after pushing by means of a regulation that abolished their direct election.
2005
Putin galvanized the delight and patriotism of bizarre Russians by promising to revive the nation’s greatness and regain its status and energy on the world stage.
“I take into account the event of Russia as a free and democratic state to be our important political and ideological purpose,” he informed the Russian Federal Meeting on April 25.
“Above all,” he added, “we must always acknowledge that the collapse of the Soviet Union was a significant geopolitical catastrophe of the century.”
2006
Putin referred to as on the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas to acknowledge Israel’s proper to exist. He informed the militant group, which had at the moment just lately received Palestinian parliamentary elections, that Russia had by no means regarded it as a terrorist group. Just a few days later, he invited Hamas leaders to Moscow.
2007
Putin was named Time journal’s particular person of the 12 months. In what it described as “a clear-eyed recognition of the world as it's and of probably the most highly effective people and forces shaping that world — for higher or for worse,” the publication famous that Putin’s then-final 12 months as president had been “his most profitable but.”
2008
Dmitry Medvedev was elected president of Russia on March 2. Hours after his inauguration Might 7, he appointed Putin as prime minister. Analysts mentioned there was little doubt over who remained the actual energy behind the throne.
2009
Although formally the nation’s No. 2, Putin remained within the limelight. Russians marveled at their prime minister’s athletic capacity and prowess within the nice outdoor. They have been showered with images of him tenting within the Siberian tundra, swimming in a lake, and driving horseback — shirtless. That image generated headlines — and punchlines — all over the world.
2010
Putin started to place himself to reclaim the Russian presidency. Whereas Medvedev appeared principally confined to his Kremlin workplace, Putin dashed across the nation with the information media in tow. In August, he was proven on tv visiting the Volga metropolis of Nizhny Novgorod, the place he comforted victims of lethal wildfires that killed dozens and scorched tens of millions of acres. He scolded native officers, provided monetary compensation and promised those that misplaced their properties that “earlier than winter, all the homes might be standing.”
2011
1000's of Russians took to the streets after December parliamentary elections with accusations of poll stuffing and voter fraud that they feared would permit the ruling celebration to take care of management of the parliament’s decrease home. Putin accused then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of stirring up the protesters. “She set the tone for some activists in our nation and gave them a sign,” he mentioned.
2012
Putin received a 3rd time period as president March 4 amid complaints of election misconduct. He was sworn in Might 7 as 1000's of opponents protested throughout the nation and tons of of demonstrators have been arrested.
In response to the U.S. World Magnitsky Act — named for Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in custody — and the imposition of sanctions on Russians suspected of human rights violations, Putin pulled the plug on the flexibility of U.S. residents to undertake Russian youngsters.
2013
Putin and his spouse, Lyudmila, introduced in a June televised interview that their 30-year marriage had ended — an unprecedented transfer in nation infamous for tightly guarding the non-public affairs of its leaders. Later that 12 months, the Russian president penned a stinging op-ed within the New York Instances wherein he instantly appealed to the U.S. public to “keep away from power towards Syria.”
“This may enhance the environment in worldwide affairs and strengthen mutual belief,” he wrote. “It is going to be our shared success and open the door to cooperation on different crucial points.”
2014
Putin dispatched troops to Crimea and annexed the peninsula that had been Ukrainian territory since 1954. As punishment, the West slapped Moscow with sanctions. Putin responded by banning the import of meals and agricultural merchandise from these international locations chastising Russia.
Putin was blamed for the July 17 downing of a Malaysia Airways passenger airplane over japanese Ukraine. The Kremlin denied duty.
2015
Putin ordered Russia’s intervention into the warfare in Syria. By launching airstrikes on anti-government strongholds, deploying specialised floor troops and supplying Syrian forces with meals and medical support, the Russian president managed to throw Syrian President Bashar Assad and his authorities a political lifeline.
2016
Calling it “utter nonsense” that the Kremlin favored Republican then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, Putin slapped down claims that Moscow was tampering with the U.S. presidential elections.
“Does anyone critically suppose that Russia can someway affect the opinion of the American folks? Is America some banana nation?” Putin mentioned a month earlier than the U.S. election.
On the identical time, he additionally praised Trump for “getting by means of to voters’ hearts.”
2017
On July 7, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Germany, Putin met Trump for the primary time in a gathering that was mentioned to be cordial. On the finish of the month, the Russian chief introduced that he deliberate to toss out 755 staffers at U.S. diplomatic missions in Russia in retaliation for a package deal of new sanctions towards Moscow.
2018
In early March, British Prime Minister Theresa Might accused Putin’s authorities of poisoning with a nerve agent a former Russian spy dwelling in England. She issued Moscow an ultimatum to elucidate its motion or threat dealing with a spread of financial and diplomatic measures. The Kremlin, which denied any involvement within the assault, missed the deadline, prompting the British authorities to announce the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats.
On Saturday, Moscow reciprocated, ordering the expulsion of 23 British diplomats from Russia.
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