Who is Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin?

“Putin on the Fritz”, a lecture by Dr. Rachel Stauffer of Ferrum College, gave PVCC students the opportunity to understand the current and past relations between the U.S. and the Russian Federation. Dr. Stauffer also took an in-depth look into the perception of Vladimir Putin by Russian citizens, and by his critics in the west.  

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was born October 7th, 1952 in Leningrad, now modern day St. Petersburg. It would seem that from the very beginning he would be destined to be a powerful individual. In Russian, the name Vladimir means universal ruler, and the “Put” in Putin translates to “the right path”.  Dr. Stauffer goes on to explain that unlike most leaders of other nations, Putin takes on the role of a national celebrity. His entourage includes oil tycoons from Gazprom and Rosneft as well as music artists like the top Russian rapper Timati. Dr. Stauffer highlights that in Russian culture, great leaders are immortalized. Catherine the Great, Stalin and Lenin are among many who inspire the Russian people.

So, what kind of man is Putin exactly? An avid sportsman, Putin participated in a hockey match with his cabinet comrades for his 63rd birthday; they played against former NHL All-Stars.  Putin scored 7 of his team’s 15 goals in the match.  In addition to hockey, Putin is known for his love of the outdoors and hunting wild game. Shirtless photos of Putin grasping a hunting rifle in search of game, or riding horseback — again shirtless – with a knife at his side, evokes imagery consistent with that of a superhero. Dr. Stauffer delved into the history of the importance of a leader’s image to those living in the Russian state.

Athletics and fitness seem to be high on the list of priorities for Putin’s day to day activities. From an early age, young Vladimir began to practice sambo and judo martial arts. Many photos and videos have circulated of Putin taking down his opponent using moves learned in those sports. It is a powerful gesture, one that presents him as a strong individual who the people will naturally follow. However, a competitive attitude while playing a sport is different to authorizing acts of aggression. Putin’s recent intervention in the Crimea raise questions to this figure’s leadership.  

The lecture also highlights some of Putin’s more controversial relationships with other world leaders namely Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. In recent years, Putin has made questionable interventions in various eastern european states, in particular the Ukraine; leading to economic sanctions from both the EU & the United States. This puts pressure on the Russian economy, however in the long run it strains relations between western nations and Russia as we attempt to work together in the global community.

Thanks to the research of journalists, and academics like Dr. Stauffer, pertinent information on the enigmatic figure of Vladimir Putin is accessible for those who keep an eye on issues in the international community.  Such information will likely present itself to be useful in interpreting these events as they unfold in the coming weeks and months ahead. This knowledge and the process in which it is obtained enable readers to learn how to perceive and interpret international news.