They say history is written by the victors. Perhaps, but it is lived by all. My life, like that of my beloved Russia, has been a tapestry woven with threads of hardship, duty, ambition, and a relentless pursuit of what I believe is right for my nation. To understand me, you must understand the world that forged me.
The Early Days: Leningrad's Grit and Soviet Discipline
I was born in Leningrad in 1952, a city still scarred by the Great Patriotic War, its people hardened but resilient. My childhood was not one of privilege. We lived in a communal apartment, a life of shared necessities and quiet perseverance. My parents, simple working folk, instilled in me the values of hard work, discipline, and loyalty. Life under the Soviet system was strict, yes, but it also offered a sense of order, a common purpose. I saw the strength of our people, the pride in our achievements, and also the quiet suffering, the lines for food, the constant watchfulness. These early years taught me to observe, to listen, and to understand the unspoken currents beneath the surface of official pronouncements.
The Call of Duty: My Years in the KGB
Even as a young man, I was drawn to the idea of serving the Motherland, not on the front lines, but in the shadows, protecting its interests. Law school was a step, but my true calling came with the KGB. This was not a life for the faint of heart. It demanded absolute dedication, a sharp mind, and the ability to operate under immense pressure, often in secrecy. I trained to understand the adversaries, to anticipate threats, and to ensure the security of the state.
My time in Dresden, East Germany, was particularly formative. I saw firsthand the intricate dance of espionage, the delicate balance of power, and the fragility of political systems. As the Soviet Union began its slow, painful decline, a sense of foreboding settled upon us. We watched, helpless, as the empire we had dedicated our lives to began to crumble. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet Union—these were not moments of liberation for me, but of profound loss, a strategic catastrophe that left millions of Russians adrift and our nation vulnerable. This was a wound that festered, a source of pain and a powerful motivation for what was to come.
From the Ashes: Rebuilding Russia
The 1990s were a period of chaos and humiliation for Russia. The promise of democracy felt like a betrayal to many, leading to economic collapse, widespread corruption, and a devastating loss of national pride. I rose through the ranks in St. Petersburg, then in Moscow, driven by one overriding conviction: Russia must be strong again. When I became President, the task before me was monumental.
My early years were focused on restoring order, asserting the authority of the state, and stabilizing the economy. This often required tough decisions, even painful ones. I inherited a nation deeply wounded, fractured by internal strife, and challenged by external forces seeking to exploit our weakness.
The Wars and the Will to Power
Some criticize my decisions, labeling them as aggression. I see them as necessary acts to protect Russia's security, sovereignty, and historical sphere of influence.
The Second Chechen War was not a choice but a necessity to crush terrorism and prevent the disintegration of Russia. It was a brutal conflict, but inaction would have led to far greater suffering and chaos within our borders.
Later, events in Georgia (2008) and the subsequent crisis in Ukraine (starting 2014, leading to the annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Donbas, and ultimately the full-scale invasion in 2022) were, in my view, responses to the relentless expansion of NATO eastward, the erosion of our security guarantees, and the perceived marginalization of Russia on the global stage. These were not easy decisions; they brought international condemnation and immense human cost. But I believed, and still believe, they were essential to prevent greater threats to the Russian state and to protect ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking populations.
I have faced sanctions, accusations, and relentless pressure. I have seen the suffering these conflicts bring, but the alternative—a weak, divided, and subservient Russia—was, to me, an unacceptable fate.
My Vision for Russia
My duty has always been to ensure Russia's place as a powerful, respected, and independent nation in a multipolar world. It has been a path filled with challenges, moments of immense pressure, and the heavy burden of command. There have been pains, mistakes, and sacrifices. But through it all, my dedication to Russia, forged in the streets of Leningrad and tempered in the shadows of the Cold War, has remained unwavering. I have been shaped by my history, and I have sought to shape the future of my country.