Russian central bank chief Elvira Nabiullina has cultivated the image of a nerdy, opera-loving technocrat, trapped in place by Putin's decision to go to war in Ukraine. It's not that simple.
Back in 2001, Vladimir Putin was seeking respect from world leaders while pledging a new openness in Russia. That's what brought him to tiny Crawford, Texas, at the invite of President George W. Bush.
The U.S. joined the European Union and Group of Seven nations in enacting new sanctions on Russia in response to the civilian toll reported in Bucha and elsewhere in Ukraine in recent days.
In 2000, Vladimir Putin began targeting oligarchs who did not bend to his authority. The loyalists who remained — and new ones who subsequently got rich — became like ATM machines for the president.
President Biden's remark about Russian President Vladimir Putin came in a speech in Warsaw. A White House official later said Biden "was not discussing Putin's power in Russia, or regime change."
Company leaders explained vehement opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his invasion of Ukraine. They also hope the new name will represent "Stoli's roots in Latvia."
Putin acted out of hubris and "didn't get the politics of Ukraine right" when he decided to invade, says Michael Kimmage, an academic who formerly served at the State Department.
Russian President Vladimir Putin received the honorary black belt back in Nov. 2013 from World Taekwondo, the international governing body of the sport. He is known to be a fan of martial arts.