Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is the President of the Russian Federation and a Russian politician. After graduating from the Law Faculty of Leningrad State University in 1975, where he received his legal education, he served in the Committee for State Security of the Soviet Union (KGB), and during his intelligence career he was stationed in the German Democratic Republic from 1985 to 1990. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Putin worked in the early 1990s as an official responsible for foreign relations at the Saint Petersburg City Administration and later held various positions within the federal government.

In 1999, Putin was appointed Prime Minister by Russian President Boris Yeltsin and assumed the role of acting President at the end of that year after Yeltsin’s resignation. He was formally elected to the presidency in the 2000 elections. Since 2000, Putin has held the office of President. Although legal term limits required him to serve as Prime Minister during certain periods, he retained executive authority. Throughout his presidency, he has adopted a moderate centralist style of governance in both domestic and foreign policy.

During his leadership, Putin has promoted a strong centralized state and policies emphasizing state sovereignty, but his administration has been criticized for undermining the functionality of democratic institutions, restricting press freedom, and suppressing civil society. Key elements of Putin’s foreign policy strategy include the annexation of Crimea in 2014, military intervention in Syria in 2015, and the 2020 constitutional referendum.

During this period, Russia’s goal of regaining geopolitical relevance has been prioritized, while simultaneously reinforcing domestic legitimacy through symbolic and structural measures that reframe historical narratives centered on Russia.

Childhood and Youth

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was born on 7 October 1952 in Leningrad, Soviet Union. His family belonged to the typical working class of postwar Soviet society. His father, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, volunteered for service in World War II and was seriously wounded during combat. After the war, he worked as a master craftsman in a factory. His mother, Maria Ivanovna Shelomova, also worked as a factory worker and survived the Siege of Leningrad under extremely harsh conditions. Putin had two older brothers, both born before him, who died—one from diphtheria and the other under the difficult conditions of the war.

Putin spent his childhood in a kommunalka, a shared apartment housing multiple families, in Leningrad. He grew up on the fifth floor of a five-story building under limited living conditions. During this time, he was described as a quiet, attentive, and devoted child. Although his mother initially disapproved of his interest in martial arts, she later supported him as she witnessed his success.

According to his teachers, Putin was perceived as a distracted and rule-defiant student in class. Nevertheless, he possessed a strong memory and an exceptional ability to speak persuasively. These traits became more pronounced during his secondary school years.

Education

Vladimir Putin’s education was shaped not by early academic achievement but by the development of discipline. He began primary school in 1960 at School No. 193 in Leningrad. In his early years, he showed little interest in his studies and exhibited undisciplined behavior, but this gradually changed through the personal attention of his teachers. Particularly under the guidance of his class teacher Vera Gurevich, he began focusing on his studies from the sixth grade onward, and his academic performance improved rapidly. During this time, he also participated in school social activities and sports.

After completing secondary school, Putin attended High School No. 281 in Leningrad, where he received a curriculum focused on chemistry. This school had a technical orientation and offered university preparatory programs. His strong linguistic abilities and memory became evident, and he began showing interest in history, German, and especially law. In his youth, he attempted to directly apply to the KGB for information but was advised by officials to first complete university education and was recommended to enroll in a law faculty.

Following this guidance, Putin enrolled in the Law Faculty of Leningrad State University in 1970. This faculty was known for its curriculum that deeply examined the Soviet legal system and state structure. Over the five years he spent there, Putin studied law, constitutional law, international relations, and Soviet administrative law. During the same period, he held various positions in the Komsomol, the Soviet youth organization, gaining political experience.

Intelligence Career

Shortly after graduating from the Law Faculty of Leningrad State University in 1975, Putin joined the Soviet state intelligence service, the KGB. He worked as an operative and rose to the rank of colonel. In 1985, after receiving additional training at the KGB’s academy in Moscow, he was posted to East Germany and served as a KGB officer in Dresden from 1985 to 1990.

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of the East German regime ended Putin’s KGB career in Dresden. Putin was recalled to Leningrad in 1990 and transitioned to the KGB’s “active reserve” status, stepping from intelligence work into civilian life. He formally resigned from the KGB shortly after the failed August 1991 coup attempt in the Soviet Union.

Political Career

Saint Petersburg Period (1990–1996)

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Putin took his first step into civilian politics in 1990 in his native city of Leningrad, later renamed Saint Petersburg. At the invitation of reformist mayor Anatoliy Sobchak, he left his university position in February 1990 to become Sobchak’s advisor on foreign relations. Shortly thereafter, in June 1991, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Relations of the Saint Petersburg City Administration, a role critical for regulating the city’s foreign trade and foreign investment.

During the post-Soviet period, Putin also assumed responsibility for issuing export licenses that generated foreign currency for the central government. In 1992, he was promoted to First Deputy Mayor of Saint Petersburg and became one of Sobchak’s closest collaborators. During this time, Saint Petersburg implemented programs aimed at overcoming its economic crisis by exporting raw materials abroad in exchange for food imports, and Putin signed numerous export licenses.

While working in the Saint Petersburg municipal administration, Putin established himself as a loyal and effective technocrat. In 1994, after Sobchak expanded his powers, Putin was promoted to First Deputy Mayor, becoming the city’s second-in-command. However, when Sobchak lost the June 1996 mayoral election, Putin was forced to leave his municipal position. This defeat marked a turning point in Putin’s career: his patron had lost the election, and Putin swiftly relocated from Saint Petersburg to Moscow. He thus prepared to move from local to federal politics, entering the political center of Russia.

Moscow Period (1996–1999)

In August 1996, Putin was appointed Deputy Head of the Presidential Property Management Agency in the Kremlin. In this role, he managed state assets. In March 1997, he became Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration and Chief Inspector of the Kremlin.

In May 1998, he was appointed First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration, and in July 1998, he was named Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB). From September 1998, he managed internal security policy. In March 1999, he became Secretary of the Russian Security Council. On 9 August 1999, Yeltsin declared Putin acting Prime Minister and his successor; on 16 August, the State Duma confirmed his appointment as Prime Minister.

Interim Presidency (1999–2000)

After assuming the presidency at the end of 1999, Putin effectively used the period until the March 2000 elections to rebuild the state apparatus, which had appeared fragmented under Yeltsin, overcome the economic crisis, and restore Russia’s international standing. He won public support through these promises. In the presidential election on 26 March 2000, he won 52.94 percent of the vote in the first round. Communist leader Zyuganov received 29 percent. This result was notable as it marked the first time since the Soviet era that a leader won a majority in the first round.

International observers noted that the election day proceeded orderly, but criticized the state’s control over the media. Putin was inaugurated on 7 May 2000, becoming the second President of modern Russia.

First Presidency (2000–2008)

Putin’s first two presidential terms from 2000 to 2008 were marked by the construction of a centralized governance structure and accelerated economic growth. Shortly after taking office, he divided the country into seven federal districts and appointed Kremlin-linked representatives to each, aiming to curb the influence of powerful regional governors.

Putin also took steps against the oligarchs who had gained power during the Yeltsin era. Media tycoons Vladimir Gusinsky and Boris Berezovsky were forced to flee abroad. In 2003, the arrest of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and the subsequent dismantling of his Yukos company, whose assets were transferred to state energy firms, strengthened the state’s control over the energy sector. These policies centralized both economic and political power.

Economically, Russia experienced recovery fueled by rising oil revenues. In 2000, the economy grew by 10 percent; between 2000 and 2008, average annual growth reached 7 percent. Russia’s GDP increased by approximately 94 percent, and per capita income doubled. Poverty, which stood at around 30 percent, fell to 14 percent by 2008. Foreign debt was reduced, and public spending was brought under control.

In foreign policy, Putin initially pursued a cooperative stance toward the West; however, events such as the 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine led him to view Western influence in neighboring countries as a threat. In his 2007 speech at the Munich Security Conference, he openly challenged the unipolar world order and adopted a more confrontational posture toward the West.

In domestic policy, after the September 2004 Beslan school siege, the practice of electing regional governors was abolished; governors were henceforth appointed by the Kremlin. Independent media outlets were either shut down or transferred to government-aligned capital. Control over civil society intensified, and political competition was significantly curtailed.

In the March 2004 election, Putin was re-elected with 71.3 percent of the vote, institutionalizing a centralized governance model during this period. By 2008, constitutional term limits prevented him from running for a third consecutive term, prompting him to begin planning his political future.

Prime Ministership (2008–2012)

In 2008, constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, Putin supported Dmitry Medvedev as his successor and assumed the role of Prime Minister after the election. This period is referred to in literature as “tandemocracy.” Medvedev served as President while Putin was Prime Minister. However, through his influence over United Russia and his position within the bureaucracy, Putin remained the decisive figure in governance.

The most significant development in foreign policy during this time was Russia’s 2008 war with Georgia. Following clashes in South Ossetia, the Russian military intervened in Georgia and achieved swift military success, effectively separating South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia. This move was interpreted as a demonstration of Russia’s stance against Western influence in its near abroad.

During his premiership, Putin also played an active role in domestic policy. Under the framework of the “Strategy for 2020” developed after the 2008 global crisis, economic modernization and infrastructure projects were prioritized. However, growth slowed, and reforms were limited by bureaucratic obstacles.

In the 2011 parliamentary elections, United Russia lost votes. Mass protests erupted in Moscow and other cities, alleging electoral fraud. Nevertheless, Putin announced his intention to run for president in 2012 and managed the process according to his power strategy.

Second Presidency (2012–2018)

In the March 2012 elections, Vladimir Putin won 63.6 percent of the vote and was elected president for the third time (counted as a second consecutive term under constitutional continuity). During this period, Putin’s ideological rhetoric evolved more distinctly toward conservatism. Traditional Orthodox-Slavic values were emphasized, and the West was portrayed as morally decadent.

A major turning point in foreign policy occurred in 2014. Following a change of government in Ukraine, Russia annexed Crimea. A referendum was held, and Russia declared Crimea’s accession; however, this annexation was not recognized by the international community, and sanctions were imposed on Russia. The annexation of Crimea boosted Putin’s domestic support. Subsequently, clashes erupted between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region, with Moscow providing indirect support to the separatists.

In 2015, Putin made the decision to directly intervene in the Syrian Civil War, supporting the Assad regime. Russian air force involvement shifted the balance in favor of the government. In the same year, a crisis erupted between Russia and Turkey after a Turkish fighter jet shot down a Russian jet. However, relations normalized quickly, and both sides cooperated on Syria.

Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 defense system from Russia highlighted the strategic depth of this rapprochement. During this period, Putin’s administration allocated substantial budgets to military modernization. Accelerated under the State Armament Program launched in 2010, investments in modern equipment increased. As the 2018 elections approached, Putin secured a constitutional amendment allowing him to run again.

Third Presidency (2018–2024)

In the presidential election on 18 March 2018, Vladimir Putin was re-elected with 76 percent of the vote, the highest percentage of his career to date. In this new term, Putin faced economic difficulties. Growth remained sluggish, and real household incomes declined. The increase in the retirement age provoked public backlash and led to a drop in approval ratings. Nevertheless, the reform was implemented. Pressure on the opposition intensified. Protests in 2019 were dispersed by police; in 2020, the poisoning and subsequent arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny drew international condemnation.

In January 2020, Putin proposed constitutional amendments that reset his presidential term limits. These changes were approved in a July 2020 referendum, clearing the way for Putin to remain in office until 2036. Although framed as necessary for “stability,” the opposition labeled them as enabling “lifetime rule.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, initial responsibility was delegated to local authorities, but central authority was later reasserted. The pandemic’s effects and sanctions strained the Russian economy.

The most critical development of this period was the war launched against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, announced as a “special military operation.” Western countries deemed the operation illegal, supported Ukraine, and imposed severe sanctions on Russia. The first year of the war did not yield a quick outcome; Russia withdrew from the Kyiv region but made gains in eastern and southern areas. In the same year, Putin announced the annexation of certain regions following referendums. These steps were not recognized by the international community. In September 2022, partial mobilization was declared. Internal repression against war opponents intensified, and thousands fled the country.

In 2023, a brief mutiny by Wagner Group leader Prigozhin created a security crisis. However, the crisis was suppressed, and Putin maintained his authority. By the end of this period, Russia had largely severed ties with the West and established close relations with countries such as China and Iran. Putin entered the 2024 elections with domestic control intact.

Post-2024

The presidential elections held from 15 to 17 March 2024 resulted in Vladimir Putin being elected president for a fifth term. Official figures indicate Putin received approximately 77–78 percent of the vote; exit polls showed 87.8 percent. This marked the highest presidential election result in the post-Soviet era. Communist Party candidate Nikolay Haritonov received around 4 percent, while other candidates received significantly lower shares.

With this result, Putin gained the right to remain in office until 2030. In his post-election speech, he affirmed his determination to stand firm against the West, continue military operations in Ukraine, and further strengthen the armed forces. He emphasized Russia’s historical resistance to external pressures and called for national unity. With this election, Putin became one of the longest-serving leaders in modern Russian history.

Political Personality

Since the 2000s, Putin has cultivated a political leadership profile centered on the principle of a “strong state,” consolidating authority in a single hand and prioritizing stability. As a former KGB officer, his priority has been the restoration of state authority and the prevention of national disintegration; he himself has defined Russia’s greatest threat not as stagnation but as the possibility of fragmentation. Accordingly, from the outset of his tenure, he has focused on centralizing the federal structure and building a vertical hierarchy of centralized power.

As an authoritarian modernizer, Putin has maintained public support by promising economic growth and order under strict central control. Although criticized for backsliding on democracy and human rights, the economic recovery achieved during his first two terms and the end of the political and social chaos of the 1990s fostered a widespread perception of stable governance, significantly increasing his popularity.

During Putin’s tenure, media privatization and control over the opposition have intensified. National television channels came under state control, and some journalists and opposition politicians were neutralized through various means. In the early years of his rule, Putin took steps to limit the political influence of oligarchs and eliminate instabilities transmitted to the public through political lobbies. He sent a clear message to remaining privilege holders: stay out of politics. Ultimately, while economic elites retained their wealth, control over political decision-making mechanisms shifted decisively to the Kremlin.

At the core of Putin’s political personality lies a blend of pragmatism and statism. He has described the dissolution of the Soviet Union as “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the twentieth century.” While reinforcing state power, he has cultivated a nationalist-conservative bond with society, incorporating institutions such as the Russian Orthodox Church, the military, and traditional family values as pillars of Russian identity. In this regard, a symbiotic relationship has developed between Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church: Putin has reintroduced the Church into social life after the Soviet era, and in return, the Church has provided intellectual and religious legitimacy to Putin’s conservative, state-centered vision. For example, the reintroduction of religious education in schools, laws banning “LGBT propaganda,” and social policies reflecting the Church’s views are practical manifestations of Putin’s ideological stance.

Putin’s approach to historical heritage is pragmatic and utilitarian. In the post-Soviet period, he has embraced elements of historical heritage that align with Russia’s national interests, particularly those that glorify state continuity, strong leadership traditions, and centralized authority. However, this selective historical narrative has ignored historical facts such as Soviet-era deportations of ethnic groups, suppression of local languages, and cultural assimilation efforts. In this context, a narrative has been constructed that omits full historical reality, aiming to present Russia as a multiethnic state while emphasizing unity under a single identity.

Domestic Policy

Putin’s domestic policy during his tenure has undergone significant changes across areas such as the state’s role in the economy, control of strategic sectors, military strengthening, religion, and social values.

Economy and Industry

When Vladimir Putin assumed office in 2000, he adopted a “strong state” approach to restore economic stability following the market experiments of the 1990s. Early reforms included simplifying the tax system under the Gref Plan and fixing the income tax at a flat rate of 13 percent. Steps were also taken to improve the business environment.

During the 2000–2008 period, rising oil and natural gas prices significantly boosted the economy. Gross domestic product (GDP) nearly doubled, per capita income increased, and poverty fell from around 30 percent to 14 percent. Millions joined the middle class. However, economic growth remained heavily dependent on energy exports.

The Putin administration developed strategies such as the “Concept for Development until 2020” and the “12 National Projects” to reduce dependence on energy. However, the 2008 global financial crisis and Western sanctions following the 2014 annexation of Crimea slowed economic growth. From 2013 onward, the Russian economy faced structural problems such as low productivity and weak technological innovation.

Although some improvement in income distribution occurred, economic power remains concentrated among oligarchs and close circles of the state. As of 2018, per capita national income exceeded Eastern European averages; however, real wages declined after 2014, weakening public purchasing power.

In a stagnant environment, the government was forced to implement fiscal measures. The value-added tax (VAT) rate was increased, and the retirement age was raised. The retirement reform, in particular, was one of the rare domestic policy moves during Putin’s tenure that led to a noticeable decline in public support.

Energy Policy

One of the core elements of Vladimir Putin’s economic and strategic vision has been to transform Russia into a global energy superpower. In the early 2000s, the country’s leading oil and gas companies were largely controlled by private capital, particularly by oligarchs. The collapse of Yukos in 2003 and the arrest of its owner Mikhail Khodorkovsky marked the beginning of a structural shift. The oil sector was reorganized under the state-owned company Rosneft. Gazprom was elevated to “national champion” status and expanded under state control.

Putin’s policy of bringing energy producers under state control was successfully implemented, strengthening centralized authority over the energy sector. The Kremlin has used oil and gas revenues not only to finance public spending, social programs, and infrastructure investments but also as a tool in foreign policy.

Periodic disruptions or redirections of Gazprom’s natural gas deliveries to Europe, particularly during the Ukraine crises of 2006 and 2009 and after 2014, revealed the strategic dimension of Russia’s energy policy. During this period, energy infrastructure was significantly expanded: major pipeline projects such as Nord Stream, TurkStream, and Power of Siberia diversified export routes.

It is known that Putin argued in his own academic thesis for the effective state use of natural resources. Under this approach, Russia has achieved a 12–13 percent share of global oil production and remains the world’s largest natural gas exporter.

Defense and Military Policy

Vladimir Putin has placed great emphasis on the restructuring of the Russian armed forces during his tenure. In the 1990s, the military was technologically backward; beginning in the 2000s, increased budgetary resources enabled its modernization. The 2008 war with Georgia exposed structural weaknesses within the military and necessitated comprehensive reforms.

Reforms initiated after 2008 under Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov aimed to replace the large but dysfunctional units inherited from the Soviet era with more flexible, professional, and permanently ready forces. The number of contract soldiers increased, and officer corps were rejuvenated. In 2010, Putin launched a ten-year State Armament Program, allocating 20 trillion rubles to modernize 70 percent of the military inventory by 2020.

During this period, the Russian military acquired advanced weapon systems such as the T-14 Armata tanks, Su-57 fighter jets, Yasen-class submarines, and S-400 air defense systems. After the 2014 annexation of Crimea, defense spending increased further. By the mid-2020s, approximately one-third of the state budget was allocated to security and defense expenditures, largely due to the war in Ukraine.

Religion and Social Values

In Vladimir Putin’s domestic policy vision, the Russian Orthodox Church and conservative social values have played a central role. In the post-Soviet identity search, Putin positioned the Orthodox Church as the spiritual foundation of national unity. From the 2000s onward, Putin cultivated a pious public image, attending church services, playing an active role in religious holidays, and sharing symbolic narratives about his personal faith.

During this period, the Church’s social influence expanded: religious education was introduced into the curriculum, previously nationalized properties were returned, and the Orthodox community’s public visibility increased. In return, the Russian Orthodox Church supported Putin’s political authority through public statements, contributing to the state’s legitimacy.

On social values, the Putin administration reinforced conservative transformation through legislation. In 2013, a law banned “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships,” and anti-abortion rhetoric was supported. Family values were emphasized in school curricula.

In the 2020 constitutional amendments, the phrase “the Russian Federation believes in God” and the definition of marriage as “a union between a woman and a man” were incorporated into the constitution. These steps established a new ideological framework positioning Russia as a spiritual and traditional society in opposition to Western secular and liberal values.

Foreign Policy

Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy has been shaped by the goals of repositioning Russia as a global power, expanding influence in the former Soviet space, and opposing the American-led unipolar order. Initially pursuing a cooperative stance toward the West, Putin gradually adopted a competitive and confrontational policy.

In relations with the United States and NATO, Putin has consistently criticized the international order led by the United States throughout his tenure. Although initially seeking cooperation after the 9/11 attacks, U.S. actions such as the invasion of Iraq, withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, and NATO expansion damaged relations. His 2007 speech at the Munich Security Conference was a clear expression of this discontent. Relations reached their most tense phase since the Cold War after the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the Ukraine crisis. Putin viewed NATO’s expansion into former Soviet territories as a threat and strongly opposed the potential membership of Georgia and Ukraine. In its 2022 Strategic Concept, NATO designated Russia as the primary threat to allied security.

In relations with the European Union, Putin developed energy-based cooperation with countries such as Germany, France, and Italy. However, initiatives like the Eurasian Economic Union clashed with the EU’s Eastern Partnership policy, and relations deteriorated after the Ukraine crisis. The EU, coordinated with the United States, imposed sanctions on Russia; however, some leaders, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, maintained close ties with Putin. Relations with Turkey exemplify a multi-vector foreign policy: tensions following the 2015 aircraft crisis were later elevated to a strategic level through the Astana process, the S-400 agreement, and energy projects.

The post-Soviet space holds special importance in Putin’s foreign policy. Regimes such as Belarus, Armenia, and Kazakhstan have received support, while countries with pro-Western inclinations such as Georgia and Ukraine have faced military interventions. The Eurasian Economic Union, established in 2015, is the institutional manifestation of Moscow’s effort to sustain economic integration within this region.

In the Middle East, Putin directly intervened in the Syrian Civil War in 2015 to support the Assad regime. Simultaneously, he maintained diplomatic flexibility by engaging with opposing actors such as Israel, Iran, and Turkey.

Relations with China have been one of the most notable strategic partnerships of Putin’s tenure. After 2014, energy agreements were signed with China in response to Western sanctions, and trade volume increased rapidly. In the 2020s, the two countries declared an “unlimited partnership” around anti-American rhetoric and shared a vision of a multipolar world order. However, some concerns within the Kremlin have been raised that this closeness could make Russia overly dependent on China.

In Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, Putin has sought to enhance global influence by aligning with anti-American regimes. Platforms such as BRICS have been utilized, emphasizing the principles of sovereignty and multipolarity. This rhetoric has found some resonance in countries exhibiting anti-Western stances.

Chronology of Career

Personal Life

Vladimir Putin’s personal profile is shaped by his religious beliefs, sporting activities, love of animals, and cultural interests. Despite the Soviet Union’s official atheist identity, Putin was baptized as a child by his mother and has stated that he wore a cross pendant given to him by his mother, which he had blessed in Jerusalem and found undamaged after a fire in 1996, reinforcing his faith.

Putin trained in judo and sambo, achieved a black belt, and participated in various tournaments. In 2010, he received an honorary doctorate in judo from South Korea and has contributed to publications on the sport. His outdoor hobbies, including skiing, ice hockey, fishing, and hunting, have frequently been publicized.

Known for his affection for animals, Putin publicly expressed grief after the death of his first dog, Konni. Other dogs he has owned include gifts from Bulgaria and Japan. His active involvement in wildlife conservation projects has been highlighted as evidence of environmental awareness. In terms of language proficiency, Putin speaks German fluently and has basic knowledge of English. He is said to have a strong interest in classical Russian literature, particularly Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and to exhibit nostalgic attachment to Soviet-era cinema and music.

Awards and Honors

Vladimir Putin has been awarded numerous state orders and medals both within Russia and by various foreign countries. According to Kremlin sources, he holds approximately 20 domestic and foreign honors.

In 2018, he was awarded the Russian Orthodox Church’s highest honor, the Order of Saint Andrew. Among the most significant foreign honors are China’s 2018 “Order of Friendship of the People,” which Putin became the first head of state to receive. In 2006, he received France’s Legion of Honour, Grand Cross; this award was later revoked, sparking public debate after 2022.

In June 2024, North Korea announced it had awarded Putin the “Kim Il Sung Order.” Other international honors bestowed upon Putin include India’s “Jawaharlal Nehru Peace Prize,” Mongolia’s “Genghis Khan Order,” Venezuela’s “Simon Bolivar Order,” and state decorations from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.