When Vladimir Putin was sworn in for his first presidential term on May 7, 2000, few could have imagined that the 47-year-old, relatively unknown leader would go on to dominate Russian politics for more than two decades. Initially recognized for being young, articulate, and sober—a contrast to his predecessor—Putin’s rise appeared modest. As noted by journalist Susan B. Glasser, “If you had asked me or basically anyone whether Vladimir Putin would become the longest-serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin, the response would have likely been either incredulous silence or uproarious laughter.”
Putin’s journey began with a law degree from Leningrad State University, where he studied under Anatoly Sobchak, a reformist figure of the perestroika era. He then served 15 years in the KGB, including six years stationed in Dresden, East Germany. In 1990, he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel and returned to Leningrad, becoming prorector of his alma mater before joining Sobchak, now the city’s first democratically elected mayor, as an adviser. Known for his efficiency, Putin rapidly advanced to become first deputy mayor by 1994.
In 1996, Putin moved to Moscow and entered the federal government, rising through administrative ranks under leaders such as Pavel Borodin and Anatoly Chubais. In 1998, President Boris Yeltsin appointed him director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the KGB, and later secretary of the Security Council. By 1999, Yeltsin named him prime minister, grooming him as his political heir.
Putin’s popularity surged after his strong military campaign in Chechnya, which appealed to a Russian public weary of Yeltsin’s erratic leadership. His backing of the pro-Kremlin Unity party helped it perform well in the 1999 parliamentary elections. On December 31, 1999, Yeltsin resigned unexpectedly, appointing Putin as acting president. Putin won the March 2000 election with about 53% of the vote, promising to restore national pride and stability.