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Russia Presidents
- Boris Yeltsin1991-1999
Boris Yeltsin
1991-1999
Russia’s first president, Yeltsin led the Soviet collapse and launched 'shock therapy' privatisation, creating both market reforms and powerful oligarchs. His tenure mixed democratic aspirations with instability and corruption allegations. He resigned in 1999 and named Vladimir Putin acting president.
- Vladimir Putin1999-2008
Vladimir Putin
1999-2008
A former KGB officer, Putin has led Russia since 1999. He turned a nation grappling with Soviet collapse into a major power. The restoration of Russian power and ensuring political and economic stability have been central to his rule.
- Dmitry Medvedev2008-12
Dmitry Medvedev
2008-12
A longtime Putin ally, Medvedev served as president from (2008-12) before becoming prime minister and later Security Council deputy chairman. Initially viewed in the West as a reformist, he ultimately reinforced Putin’s leadership and has become a hardliner lately.
- Vladimir Putin2012–present
Vladimir Putin
2012–present
A former KGB officer, Putin has led Russia since 1999. He turned a nation grappling with Soviet collapse into a major power. The restoration of Russian power and ensuring political and economic stability have been central to his rule.
Putin in India: Analysis and explainers
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Putin's India visit 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit India from 5–6 December 2025, marking his first trip since the full-scale Ukraine war began. Putin last visited India in December 2021.
The summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the 23rd annual bilateral summit, underscoring the long-standing “special and privileged strategic partnership” between the two countries.
The summit will focus on defence, energy, nuclear energy, agriculture, Arctic, connectivity initiatives and trade cooperation.
Putin accepts PM Modi's invitation
Putin accepted an invitation from PM Modi in May, and his team made clear that preparations for the trip was “in full swing."
"The Indian leader (PM Modi) confirmed his invitation to the Russian president to visit India for an annual bilateral summit. The invitation was gratefully accepted," the Kremlin said in a statement in May.
They emphasised the strategic nature of Russian-Indian relations that enjoy a particularly privileged partnership, the statement read, adding that these relations are not subject to external influence and continue to develop dynamically in all areas."
In August 2025, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar travelled to Moscow and met Putin and other senior officials to firm up the agenda. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also publicly confirmed in September that Putin would visit New Delhi, citing deep bilateral cooperation across trade, defence, technology, and more.
Jaishankar again met President Putin on November 19 in the Kremlin and apprised him of preparations underway for the upcoming annual India-Russia summit.
"Honoured to call on President Putin of Russia in Moscow today. Conveyed greetings of Prime Minister @narendramodi," Jaishankar said on social media.
"Apprised him of preparations underway for the upcoming Annual India Russia Summit. Also discussed regional and global developments. Deeply value his perspectives and guidance on further advancement of our ties," the minister added.
Ahead of the summit, Putin has directed his government to address trade imbalances with India.
In his remarks, he argued that Russia could boost its imports of Indian agricultural products and pharmaceuticals, to better balance out the large volumes of crude oil India imports.
Expected itinerary & key agendas
On December 5, besides formal summit talks, Putin will attend the Russia-India Forum 2025, organised by the Roscongress Foundation.
“The Russia-India Forum will be held in New Delhi, India, on December 4-5, 2025. The event will be timed to coincide with the state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, scheduled for December 5, 2025. The event is organised by the Roscongress Foundation,” the Russia-India Forum said.
President and PM Modi are expected to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in defence, energy, nuclear cooperation, trade, and agriculture.
In defence, a major item is likely to be Russia’s offer of the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter to India, with substantial technology transfer and potential joint production.
Discussions are also expected on the S-400 air defence system, and possibly even S-500 systems.
On the technology front, one important deal could be around mutual ground stations for navigation satellites: India’s NavIC and Russia’s GLONASS.
Energy cooperation will also get renewed thrust, with the two sides likely to strengthen mechanisms for oil supply, especially given the pressure from the West on India over its continued Russian imports.
Payment arrangements (like rupee-rouble settlements) and non-dollar trade are also expected to feature.
India-Russia ties
India and Russia share a deeply entrenched strategic partnership rooted in decades of Cold War-era cooperation, but which has evolved significantly in recent years.
Defence remains a linchpin — Russia is one of India’s most important military suppliers, providing everything from aircraft to missile systems.
Economically, bilateral trade has surged. Oil is a key component: India continues to import large volumes of Russian crude, even amid US sanctions, and Moscow is working to reduce trade imbalances by increasing imports of Indian goods.
Politically, the two nations emphasise strategic autonomy. India’s continued engagement with Russia, despite pressure from the West, signals its independent foreign policy posture.
Overall, Putin’s December visit is more than ceremonial. It is being billed as a watershed moment to deepen cooperation in high-tech defence, energy resilience, and economic partnership — reinforcing the India-Russia axis at a time of shifting global alignments.