On December 31, 1999, a little-known figure named Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was unexpectedly appointed as the Acting President by Boris Yeltsin, Russia’s leader, after the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in December 1991. This marked the beginning of a remarkable 25-year journey that has seen Putin consolidate his power and transform Russia into a formidable global player.
In the decades since, Putin has navigated Russia through a period of profound social, economic and political upheaval, cementing his status as one of the most influential leaders of the 21st century. From consolidating his authority in the early 2000s to the recent constitutional changes that could keep him in power till 2036, Putin’s reign has been defined by a dogged determination to restore “the vertical of power” domestically – i.e. reestablish Moscow’s authority over the regions and state institutions, particularly those that sought to dilute the Centre’s power and regain Russia’s international stature, even if required to challenge the established world order.
At this juncture, it is worth examining not only his rise to and consolidation of power but also the roots of enduring popularity and what motivates Putin to hew to his current political roadmap.
