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Who is Vladimir Putin?. CGI – Turmoil in Russia, 2013. Vladimir Putin – KGB operative. Oct. 7, 1952 b orn in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) 1975 earned law degree from Leningrad State University Joined foreign intelligence directorate of the KGB
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Who is Vladimir Putin? CGI – Turmoil in Russia, 2013
Vladimir Putin – KGB operative • Oct. 7, 1952 born in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) • 1975earned law degree from Leningrad State University • Joined foreign intelligence directorate of the KGB • Maybe involved in economic espionage OR was low-level domestic spy • 1990 retired as colonel from KGB
What is the KGB? • Preservation of state power; surveillance of the population • Tsarist Russia = secret police • 1917-1922 – Cheka • 1922-1954 • Under Lenin and Stalin responsible for millions of deaths • 1954-1991 – added foreign affairs • Functioned as CIA and FBI combined • Responsibilities • Foreign & domestic espionage • Intelligence gathering and analysis • Counterintelligence • Political control over the population • Protecting borders • Covert activities and disinformation • 1991 KGB becomes the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Foreign Intelligence Service
Vladimir Putin – the Politician • 1994 deputy mayor of St. Petersburg • 1996 served on Yeltsin’s presidential staff • 1998 appointed head of Federal Security Service • March 1999 manages network of all intelligence agencies and ministries • August 1999 appointed prime minister • Dec 31, 1999 Yeltsin resigns position as president
Vladimir Putin – the President • Jan 2000 appointed acting president • Signs decree granting Yeltsin full criminal immunity and a lifetime pension • March 2000 wins presidential election • First democratically elected president • March 2004 reelected with 70% of popular vote • Allegations that elections were corrupt • May 2008 Putin’s choice Dmitri Medvedev wins election • Putin joins United Russia Party to qualify for PM position • May 7 Putin appointed Prime Minister • Dec. 30, 2008 presidential terms limit extended to 6 years • March 2012 Putin elected President
2012 Presidential Election • Australian News Clip • US State Department Statement • Gorbachev’s BBC Interview