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'''Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin''' ([[Russian language|Russian]]: Владимир Владимирович Путин) (born October 7, 1952) is the socially [[conservative]] president of the [[Russian Federation]], a position he's held since 2012, after serving as prime minister since May 8, 2008, and previously serving as [[president]] since December 31, 1999<ref>[[Boris Yeltsin]] resigned from the presidency on that day, and Putin was later elected president by 54% of the electorate on March 26, 2000.</ref> Putin has increased Russia's stature in international affairs despite its weak economic position.<ref>Seib, Gerald F. (May 6, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-punches-above-his-weight-11557150000 Putin Punches Above His Weight]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved May 7, 2019.</ref>

'''Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin''' ([[Russian language|Russian]]: Владимир Владимирович Путин) (born October 7, 1952) is the socially [[conservative]] president of the [[Russian Federation]], a position he's held since 2012, after serving as prime minister since May 8, 2008, and previously serving as [[president]] since December 31, 1999<ref>[[Boris Yeltsin]] resigned from the presidency on that day, and Putin was later elected president by 54% of the electorate on March 26, 2000.</ref> Putin has increased Russia's stature in international affairs despite its weak economic position.<ref>Seib, Gerald F. (May 6, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-punches-above-his-weight-11557150000 Putin Punches Above His Weight]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved May 7, 2019.</ref>

A so-called [[Christian]], Putin leads the increasingly [[conservative]] Russia against the [[homosexual agenda]] and towards [[pro-life]] side. Liberals criticize Putin and [[Russia]] because they disagree with him on social issues.  [[Obama]] even refused to attend the Winter Olympic games held in Russia in 2014. Putin has also criticized liberal values as out of touch with a more traditional population.<ref>Multiple references:

A self-described [[Christian]], Putin leads the increasingly [[conservative]] Russia against the [[homosexual agenda]] and towards [[pro-life]] side. Liberals criticize Putin and [[Russia]] because they disagree with him on social issues.  [[Obama]] even refused to attend the Winter Olympic games held in Russia in 2014. Putin has also criticized liberal values as out of touch with a more traditional population.<ref>Multiple references:

*Isachenkov, Vladimir (June 29, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/401b6cfd5b9c4a619851196410bc5814 Putin says liberalism ‘eating itself,’ migrant influx wrong]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.

*Isachenkov, Vladimir (June 29, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/401b6cfd5b9c4a619851196410bc5814 Putin says liberalism ‘eating itself,’ migrant influx wrong]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.

*Calicchio, Dom (June 28, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/putin-liberal-values-obsolete-people-in-west-prefer-traditional-values Putin: Liberal values ‘obsolete,’ people in West prefer ‘traditional’ values]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.

*Calicchio, Dom (June 28, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/putin-liberal-values-obsolete-people-in-west-prefer-traditional-values Putin: Liberal values ‘obsolete,’ people in West prefer ‘traditional’ values]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.

*[https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-tells-ft-the-liberal-idea-has-become-obsolete-/30026237.html Putin Tells FT: 'The Liberal Idea Has Become Obsolete']. ''Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.</ref>

*[https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-tells-ft-the-liberal-idea-has-become-obsolete-/30026237.html Putin Tells FT: 'The Liberal Idea Has Become Obsolete']. ''Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.</ref>

However, Putin has made many controversial statements on [[Communism]] and has a good attitude towards [[Islam]]. [[Alexander Dugin]] argues:<ref>http://www.aspeninstitute.it/aspenia-online/article/russian-conservative-view-putin-interview-alexander-dugin</ref>

Putin has many controversial statements on [[Communism]] and has a good attitude towards [[Islam]]. [[Alexander Dugin]] argues:<ref>http://www.aspeninstitute.it/aspenia-online/article/russian-conservative-view-putin-interview-alexander-dugin</ref>

{{Cquote|If we consider the situation in Russia more closely, we will discover that almost all that is said in the West about Putin is wrong. It is a complete caricature. The most important criticism of Putin inside Russia is not from the liberals. Liberals represent the smallest part of the critics. They are absolutely marginal… So the West is absolutely wrong in thinking that there is this big liberal opposition to Putin that is artificially kept down. The real opposition to Putin is growing completely on the other side of Russian society. It is growing discontent with "lunar" Putin, against the Putin who is surrounded by liberals. All the government is completely not only corrupt, it consists of pro-Western liberals. Nothing has changed after the last election.}}

{{Cquote|If we consider the situation in Russia more closely, we will discover that almost all that is said in the West about Putin is wrong. It is a complete caricature. The most important criticism of Putin inside Russia is not from the liberals. Liberals represent the smallest part of the critics. They are absolutely marginal… So the West is absolutely wrong in thinking that there is this big liberal opposition to Putin that is artificially kept down. The real opposition to Putin is growing completely on the other side of Russian society. It is growing discontent with "lunar" Putin, against the Putin who is surrounded by liberals. All the government is completely not only corrupt, it consists of pro-Western liberals. Nothing has changed after the last election.}}

[[Forbes]] ranked Putin as the most powerful man in the world as of December 2016, while Obama was ranked #48. Putin gains popularity every time he challenges the U.S. or Europe, or sends troops into Georgia.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/datablog/2015/jul/23/vladimir-putins-approval-rating-at-record-levels</ref> Putin's Russia is an authoritarian system, with restricted capitalism, a rubber stamp parliament, compliant media, imprisoned or exiled oligarchs, harassed NGOs, marginalized pro-Western democratic parties, and a foreign policy based on bullying and military strength, all based on money from oil and gas.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2016/09/20/putin-brings-back-the-kgb-as-russia-moves-from-authoritarian-to-totalitarian/#48e4a416398a</ref><ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32860526</ref>

[[Forbes]] ranked Putin as the most powerful man in the world as of December 2016, while Obama was ranked #48. Putin gains popularity every time he challenges the U.S. or Europe, or sends troops into Georgia.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/datablog/2015/jul/23/vladimir-putins-approval-rating-at-record-levels</ref> Putin's Russia is an authoritarian system, with restricted capitalism, a rubber stamp parliament, compliant media, imprisoned or exiled oligarchs, harassed NGOs, marginalized pro-Western democratic parties, and a foreign policy based on bullying and military strength, all based on money from oil and gas.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2016/09/20/putin-brings-back-the-kgb-as-russia-moves-from-authoritarian-to-totalitarian/#48e4a416398a</ref><ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32860526</ref>

In March 2018, Putin unveiled his re-vamped nuclear missile program, and used the opportunity to threaten the United States of America and the Western World.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-01/putin-calls-for-raising-living-standards-in-annual-address Putin Shows Off New Nuclear Weapons, Warns West to ‘Listen’]</ref>

In March 2018, Putin unveiled his revamped nuclear missile program, which was interpreted as a challenge to the United States of America and the Western World.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-01/putin-calls-for-raising-living-standards-in-annual-address Putin Shows Off New Nuclear Weapons, Warns West to ‘Listen’]</ref>

==Background==

==Background==

Putin was born in [[Leningrad]] on [[October]] 7, 1952 and was baptized as an Orthodox Christian and continue to be a member to this day. Putin was a judo champion in his youth.<ref>http://nypost.com/2013/11/13/vladimir-putin-is-tougher-than-chuck-norris/</ref> He was educated in law and economics at Leningrad State University before being assigned to work in the [[KGB]].<ref>[http://en.putin.kremlin.ru/ Webpage of Vladimir Putin]</ref>  After five years in [[East Germany]], he took up various political positions before becoming [[prime minister]] in 1999.  

Putin was born in [[Leningrad]] on [[October]] 7, 1952.  He was baptized as an Orthodox Christian and continue to be a member to this day. Putin was a [[judo]] champion in his youth.<ref>http://nypost.com/2013/11/13/vladimir-putin-is-tougher-than-chuck-norris/</ref> He was educated in law and economics at Leningrad State University before being assigned to work in the [[KGB]].<ref>[http://en.putin.kremlin.ru/ Webpage of Vladimir Putin]</ref>  After five years in [[East Germany]], he took up various political positions before becoming [[prime minister]] in 1999.  

[[File:Vladtheimpaler.jpg|thumb|200px|Putin at an conference]]

[[File:Vladtheimpaler.jpg|thumb|200px|Putin at an conference]]

He was married to Lyudmila Putina, a former stewardess with Aeroflot, from July 28, 1983, until 2014, when the two divorced. They have two daughters.  

He was married to Lyudmila Putina, a former stewardess with Aeroflot, from July 28, 1983, until 2014, when the two divorced. They have two daughters.