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Dmitry Medvedev

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Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is a prominent Russian politician and lawyer.

Dmitry Medvedev official large photo -1 (cropped)
Dmitry Medvedev official large photo -1 (cropped)

He is best known for serving as the President of Russia from 2008 to 2012. He also served as the Prime Minister of Russia from 2012 to 2020. Currently, he holds the position of deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia. His career has been defined by his close relationship with Vladimir Putin. Throughout his political life, Medvedev has navigated various roles in both the academic and governmental sectors.

Inauguration of Dmitry Medvedev, 7 May 2008-7
Inauguration of Dmitry Medvedev, 7 May 2008-7

Medvedev was born on September 14, 1965, in Leningrad, which is now Saint Petersburg.

Medvedev campaign poster
Medvedev campaign poster

He grew up in a family of the Soviet intelligentsia, a term for educated professionals. His father, Anatoly, was a chemical engineer and teacher. His mother, Yulia, studied languages and worked as a tour guide. As a child, Medvedev was famously curious and frequently asked questions. He spent his early years studying encyclopedias and learning about geologic periods. By the fourth grade, he was already conducting basic chemistry experiments.

His academic journey led him to study law at Leningrad State University. He enrolled in the autumn of 1982 at the age of 17. Medvedev found the field of law deeply fascinating and stayed committed to it. He graduated from the Faculty of Law in 1987. Later, he earned a Doctor of Juridical Science degree in civil law. He defended his dissertation on state enterprise in 1990. Before moving into full-time politics, he worked as an associate professor. During this time, he co-wrote a civil law textbook that sold one million copies.

Medvedev's political rise began in Saint Petersburg through his work with Anatoly Sobchak. Sobchak was a major democratic politician in the 1980s and 1990s. Medvedev helped lead Sobchak's successful campaign for the Soviet parliament. When Sobchak became mayor, Medvedev served as a consultant for the city's foreign affairs committee. This role put him in contact with Vladimir Putin, who was an adviser at the time. Medvedev also gained business experience at Ilim Pulp Enterprise, a timber company. He eventually moved to the central government in Moscow to work in the presidential administration.

In 2000, Medvedev played a key role as the campaign manager for Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin with Dmitry Medvedev-3
Vladimir Putin with Dmitry Medvedev-3

After Putin's victory, Medvedev held several high-level positions. He served as the chairman of the board for the gas company Gazprom. During his time at Gazprom, the company's market capitalization grew significantly. It rose from $7.8 billion in 2000 to $300 billion by early 2008. He also served as a first deputy prime minister. In this role, he managed National Priority Projects. These projects aimed to improve healthcare, education, housing, and agriculture using 4% of the federal budget.

Medvedev was officially endorsed as the presidential candidate by the United Russia party in 2007. He won the 2008 election and began his presidency with a modernization agenda.

Obama and Medvedev sign Prague Treaty 2010
Obama and Medvedev sign Prague Treaty 2010

His goal was to modernize the Russian economy and society. He specifically wanted to reduce the country's heavy reliance on oil and gas. His term included the signing of the New START treaty with the United States. This treaty focused on reducing nuclear arms. However, his presidency also faced the challenges of the Russo-Georgian War.

2008 Russo-Georgian War
2008 Russo-Georgian War

After his single term as president ended in 2012, Putin appointed him Prime Minister.

Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin-1
Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin-1

Medvedev held this position until January 15, 2020. On that day, he and the rest of the government resigned. This allowed for major changes to the Russian constitution. Immediately after his resignation, Putin appointed him deputy chairman of the Security Council. For many years, analysts viewed Medvedev as a moderate or liberal leader. They believed he might represent a more pro-Western period in Russian politics.

2022-02-21. Заседание Совета Безопасности Российской Федерации 15
2022-02-21. Заседание Совета Безопасности Российской Федерации 15

In recent years, Medvedev's political stance has undergone a significant change. Since the period leading up to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he has adopted much tougher positions. He has moved away from his earlier moderate rhetoric toward a more "hawkish" or anti-Western stance. Some observers suggest this shift was an attempt to change his public image. He remains a figure of great interest to political analysts worldwide. His career shows the complex evolution of leadership within the Russian government.

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🖼️ Images & Media (37)
File:Vladimir Putin with Dmitry Medvedev-3.jpg
Vladimir Putin with Dmitry Medvedev-3.jpg
File:Dmitry Medvedev official large photo -1 (cropped).jpg
Dmitry Medvedev official large photo -1...
File:Medvedev campaign poster.JPG
Medvedev campaign poster.JPG
File:Vladimir Putin 11 March 2008-1.jpg
Vladimir Putin 11 March 2008-1.jpg
File:Vladimir Putin 2 March 2008-2.jpg
Vladimir Putin 2 March 2008-2.jpg
File:Inauguration of Dmitry Medvedev, 7 May 2008-7.jpg
Inauguration of Dmitry Medvedev, 7 May 2008-7.jpg
File:Naryshkin Sergey Evgenyevich.jpg
Naryshkin Sergey Evgenyevich.jpg
File:Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin-1.jpg
Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin-1.jpg
File:2008 Russo-Georgian War.svg
2008 Russo-Georgian War.svg
File:Decree recognising South Ossetia independence.png
Decree recognising South Ossetia independence.png
File:CeBit 2011 - Glosnass-K Satellite Model 11.jpg
CeBit 2011 - Glosnass-K Satellite Model 11.jpg
File:Nord Stream ceremony.jpeg
Nord Stream ceremony.jpeg

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