Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (; , born 7 October 1952) has been the
President of Russia since 7 May 2012, succeeding
Dmitry Medvedev. Putin previously served as president from 2000 to 2008, and as
Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. During his last term as prime minister, he was also the chairman of
United Russia, the ruling party.