Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician. He has alternately been President of the Russian Federation and President of the Government since 1999. He was an officer of the KGB (Committee for State Security), then Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) during the presidency of Boris Yeltsin. He succeeded Yeltsin in 1999. He then launched an important series of reforms which helped to recover the economy. He continued the policy of rapprochement with the West. It was during Dmitri Medvedev's presidency that he became prime minister.
Note: The indicated height is the tallest known or estimated height. For the most recent height, refer to the table in "Evolution of the height" (if displayed).
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