President Vladimir Putin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's most powerful politician Vladimir Putin marked his 57th birthday on Wednesday in the company of literary luminaries, lauded by the Orthodox Church for his wisdom, viewed askance by critics sensing a nascent personality cult. The "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" daily published an "Ode to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin" written in a style typical of poems devoted to former Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. "The country is again at a crossroads wondering whether it might perish or not," the ditty reads. "We congratulate you comrade Putin and ask God to give you another 120 years." As prime minister and leader of the ruling party, Putin ... Read Full Story

Grade A Japanese insanity starring Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, and more world leaders. Channel: Comedy barack obama , vladimir putin , president Read Full Story

Russia and its image Put in more flags What military parades and song contests say about Russia’s future Putin and Medvedev, power couple AMID Russia’s anti-crisis measures, the military parade on Red Square on May 9th was spectacular. Some 9,000 soldiers goose-stepped past political leaders. Tanks, rocket launchers and ballistic-missile carriers scratched the cobblestones; bombers, jets and helicopters flew above St Basil’s Cathedral. The show is meant to mark victory in the second world war. But this genuinely national holiday has long been appropriated by the Kremlin for ideological ends. Rather than celebrating the war’s end, this military parade represented Russia’s readiness for a ... Read Full Story

Europe Swaggering on But Russia will find the going harder A few minutes before midnight on December 31st 2008, President Dmitry Medvedev will stroll out of the Kremlin and stand before cameras in Red Square, steam coming from his mouth. In his first new-year address to the nation he will speak about Russia’s resurgence and its demand for respect; he may talk about his difficult decision to send troops to Georgia; he is likely to mention the turbulent economic climate and Russia’s ability to weather the storm. Then the clock on the Kremlin tower will strike 12 and millions of Russians will click glasses ... Read Full Story

About 2,500 protesters took to the streets in Moscow and across Russia yesterday before clashing with police officers in order to protest the global economic crisis and demand Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s registration. It appears that I was wrong about Vladimir Putin if the people of Russia want him to step down so badly. Except there’s one thing that’s not being talked about in the western media. The protesters pictured above are members of the National Bolshevik Party. That’s right, they’re Lenin-minded communists. It should come as no surprise that Bolsheviks are taking to the street and trying to take advantage of the global ... Read Full Story