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Vladimir Putin

OpinionMay 1

Putin's biggest blunder

Russian President Vladimir Putin's adventurism in Ukraine is likely to end in strategic disaster for Russia, writes Robert G. Patman, of the University of Otago.
EditorialApril 6

Losing some lustre

United States President Barack Obama has received some harsh criticism in recent weeks, particularly following the annexation of Crimea.
WorldJanuary 13

Putin to pardon jailed tycoon Khodorkovsky

President Vladimir Putin is to pardon one of his best known opponents, oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, after a decade in jail in what may be a gesture to critics of his human rights record before Russia hosts the Winter Olympics.
Putin to pardon jailed tycoon Khodorkovsky
Putin to pardon jailed tycoon Khodorkovsky
WorldJune 7

Putin orders crackdown on Islamists

Russian police rounded up 300 people at a Muslim prayer room in Moscow on Friday after President Vladimir Putin ordered a crackdown on radical Islamists ahead of next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Putin orders crackdown on Islamists
Putin orders crackdown on Islamists
WorldJune 6

Russia's Putin says marriage over

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, have said on state television that they have separated and their marriage is over after 30 years.
WorldJanuary 6

Putin signs anti-US adoption bill

President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that bans Americans from adopting Russian children and imposes other sanctions in retaliation for a new US human rights law that he says is poisoning relations.
Putin signs anti-US adoption bill
Putin signs anti-US adoption bill
WorldSeptember 17

Putin tells soldiers to boost Russian defence

President Vladimir Putin has overseen Russian military exercises and warned soldiers that more conflicts around the world meant they had to "keep their powder dry" and improve Russia's defences.
Putin tells soldiers to boost Russian defence
Putin tells soldiers to boost Russian defence
WorldSeptember 13

Putin admits staging wildlife stunts

Russian President Vladimir Putin has admitted that some of his most famous media adventures with wildlife have been carefully staged but has said they were worthwhile because they drew the public's attention to important conservation projects.
Putin admits staging wildlife stunts
Putin admits staging wildlife stunts
WorldAugust 3

Putin 'cheated us again' - Pussy Riot lawyer

Members of an all-woman Russian punk band on trial for staging a protest at the altar of Moscow's main cathedral will likely receive long jail terms despite President Vladimir Putin saying they should not be judged too harshly, a defence lawyer said.
Putin 'cheated us again' - Pussy Riot lawyer
Putin 'cheated us again' - Pussy Riot lawyer
WorldAugust 1

Critic warns of crackdown by Putin

Russian protest leader Alexei Navalny said he was sure he would go to prison after being charged with theft, and warned this was just the start of a crackdown on dissent by President Vladimir Putin.
Critic warns of crackdown by Putin
Critic warns of crackdown by Putin
WorldJuly 25

Putin tells flood victims help on way

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his third visit in less than a month to an area hit by devastating floods, and promised the government would rebuild homes as the Kremlin sought to minimise the political damage from the disaster.
Putin tells flood victims help on way
Putin tells flood victims help on way
WorldJuly 8

Putin seeks answers over deadly floods

President Vladimir Putin has ordered an investigation into accusations that officials could have done more to prevent floods killing at least 150 people in southern Russia, hoping to limit the criticism that has followed earlier disasters.
Putin seeks answers over deadly floods
Putin seeks answers over deadly floods
WorldMay 9

Putin promises strong Russia; opponents jailed

President Vladimir Putin promised to project Russia's might on the world stage in a rallying speech to troops and war veterans celebrating victory over Nazi Germany at a military parade bristling with weapons on Red Square.
Putin promises strong Russia; opponents jailed
Putin promises strong Russia; opponents jailed
WorldMay 7

Putin pledges unity on return to Kremlin

Vladimir Putin took the oath as Russia's president with a ringing appeal for unity at the start of a six-year term in which he faces growing dissent, economic problems and bitter political rivalries.
Putin pledges unity on return to Kremlin
Putin pledges unity on return to Kremlin
WorldMarch 5

Thousands challenge Putin's election win

Thousands of protesters chanting "Russia without Putin" took to the streets of Moscow to challenge Vladimir Putin's victory in a presidential election which international monitors said was unfair.
Thousands challenge Putin's election win
Thousands challenge Putin's election win
WorldMarch 4

Putin wins Russian presidency

Vladimir Putin has claimed victory in Russia's presidential election and, tears rolling down his cheeks, said it was a historical turning point that had prevented the country falling into the hands of enemies trying to usurp power.
Putin wins Russian presidency
Putin wins Russian presidency
OpinionFebruary 29

Putin's grasp on power becoming more fragile

Vladimir Putin is going to win the presidential election in Russia on March 4.
Putin's grasp on power becoming more fragile
Putin's grasp on power becoming more fragile
WorldFebruary 27

Plot to assassinate Putin foiled: report

Security forces have foiled a Chechen-linked plot to assassinate Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, state television reported in a broadcast likely to boost support for Putin's bid to regain the presidency.
Plot to assassinate Putin foiled: report
Plot to assassinate Putin foiled: report
WorldFebruary 8

Putin warns against outside interference

Vladimir Putin says the world faces a growing "cult of violence" and Moscow must not let events like those in Libya and Syria be repeated in Russia, warning the West against interference in a country he intends to lead for years to come.
Putin warns against outside interference
Putin warns against outside interference
WorldDecember 6

Hundreds detained at Moscow protest

Police have clashed with demonstrators protesting vote fraud in Moscow and at least two other major Russian cities, as anger has boiled over against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his ruling United Russia party.
Hundreds detained at Moscow protest
Hundreds detained at Moscow protest
WorldDecember 4

Russian voters deal Putin election blow

Vladimir Putin's ruling party suffered a big drop in support in a parliamentary election on Sunday, exit polls showed, as voters signalled their growing unease with his domination of Russian politics before a planned return to the presidency next year.
Russian voters deal Putin election blow
Russian voters deal Putin election blow
WorldOctober 7

Russian students create erotic calendar for Putin

Vladimir Putin has received an unusual birthday gift Thursday from 12 female journalism students, who posed in lacy underwear and used sexual innuendo to create a calendar dedicated to Russia's macho prime minister.
Russian students create erotic calendar for Putin
Russian students create erotic calendar for Putin