Vladimir Putin

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Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchange documents June 4, 2012, after their talks in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Putin and Karimov signed the Declaration of Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries and the Memorandum of Understanding at their talks in Tashkent. (Associated Press/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Presidential Press Service)

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A Russian artist shows a portrait of President Vladimir Putin last Saturday in Moscow as policemen tell him to move along. Several hundred people accompanied the artists and their provocative creations during a protest timed to coincide with the city's annual Museum Night festival, a free event during which Moscow's museums are open late with special exhibitions and performances. (Associated Press)

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Among the members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's new Cabinet are (from right) Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, shown attending a Cabinet meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow on Monday, May 21, 2012. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Government Press Service)

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World history is filled with authoritarian rulers who have pretended to excel athletically, including Russia President Vladimir Putin on the hockey rink.

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Dmitry Medvedev became Russia's prime minister on Tuesday, a job Vladimir Putin just relinquished. Mr. Putin is again serving as his nation's president. He struck back against critics in parliament irritated by failed policies and slow progress during Mr. Medvedev's four-year term as president. (Ria-Novosti via Associated Press)

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Russian riot police detain Alexei Navalny (center), a prominent anti-corruption whistle-blower and blogger, as he speaks to protesters gathered near the presidential administration offices in downtown Moscow early on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, a day after Vladimir Putin's inauguration as president. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr.)