Russian President Vladimir Putin, who began his fifth term as president on Tuesday (May 7), has proposed reappointing Mikhail Mishustin as the country's prime minister.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who began his fifth term as president on Tuesday (May 7), has proposed reappointing Mikhail Mishustin as the country's prime minister. On Friday (May 10), the speaker of the Duma (the lower house of parliament), Vyacheslav Volodin, said in a post on Telegram that Putin "submitted to the State Duma a proposal on the candidacy of Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin for the post of Chairman of the Government." "Today, deputies will make a responsible decision on behalf of their constituents on this issue," Volodin said. Mishutin, 58, was appointed as prime minister in January 2020 and has been serving in the top position since then. A report by the news agency Reuters said that along with other members of the Russian elite, Mishustin has been targeted by Western sanctions over Russia's war in Ukraine. Who is Mikhail Mishustin? Mikhail Mishustin was born on March 3, 1966. The 58-year-old comes across as a confident communicator, often seen on television fielding pointed questions from Putin on government tasks and deadlines. Also read | Vladimir Putin begins fifth term as Russian president after grand inauguration ceremony He was appointed by Putin as PM in January 2020, replacing Dmitry Medvedev. Before becoming the prime minister, Mishustin headed Russia's federal tax service, where he was credited with more than doubling revenues during his decade in charge. His tenure as PM has been dominated by the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine war. Reuters reported that the 58-year-old was named the head of a new Coordination Council in October 2022 to work with regional leaders and industry to better supply the armed forces and improve medical and logistical support. Having no background in security services, Mishustin is not part of the so-called siloviki (strongmen) faction of intelligence veterans who are close to Putin. 'My govt faced very complicated conditions' In his annual report to Parliament last month, Mishustin said that his government faced "very complicated" conditions but succeeded in adapting Russia's economy to Western sanctions and delivering on targets set by President Putin. Also watch | Putin announces he will visit China next month × Duma Speaker Volodin also said on Friday that Mishustin, who would speak in the Duma before the vote, must answer how he will solve many tasks set by Putin for the government, including increasing the defence capability of Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin proposes reappointing Mikhail Mishustin as Russian PM. Who is he?

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Dec 15) promised harsh punishment for any foreign interference in the 2024 presidential election. During a meeting with party leaders in the Duma, parliament's lower house, President Putin said, "Any interference in Russia's internal affairs will be punished, and punished harshly, according to Russian laws."

"We are defending the freedom of our people, their sovereignty, their right to choose their future. It's the people and only the people of Russia who are the source of power in our country," he added.

Last week, Putin announced he would run for a fifth presidential term in the election, with little doubt surrounding his victory after almost 25 years in power and with the opposition virtually non-existent.

<h2>Election on March 17 next year</h2>

The presidential election in Russia will be held on March 17 next year. Last week, &nbsp;Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Federation Council, said that for the first time, residents of the parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions of Ukraine annexed by Russia during the ongoing war would take part in the vote.

"By choosing a head of state together, we fully share the common responsibility and common destiny of our fatherland," Matviyenko said.

Vladimir Putin, 71, who was handed over the presidency by Boris Yeltsin on the last day of 1999, has already served as president for longer than any other ruler of Russia since Josef Stalin.

According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the presidential election is just a formality for Putin due to the support of the state, the state-run media and almost no mainstream public dissent.&nbsp;

Most leading Russian opposition figures have been jailed or exiled.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Dec 15) promised harsh punishment for any foreign interference in the 2024 presidential election. During a meeting with party leaders in the Duma, parliament's lower house, President Putin said, "Any interference in Russia's internal affairs will be punished, and punished harshly, according to Russian laws.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Dec 15) promised harsh punishment for any foreign interference in the 2024 presidential election. During a meeting with party leaders in the Duma, parliament's lower house, President Putin said, "Any interference in Russia's internal affairs will be punished, and punished harshly, according to Russian laws." "We are defending the freedom of our people, their sovereignty, their right to choose their future. It's the people and only the people of Russia who are the source of power in our country," he added. Last week, Putin announced he would run for a fifth presidential term in the election, with little doubt surrounding his victory after almost 25 years in power and with the opposition virtually non-existent. Election on March 17 next year The presidential election in Russia will be held on March 17 next year. Last week, Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Federation Council, said that for the first time, residents of the parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions of Ukraine annexed by Russia during the ongoing war would take part in the vote. "By choosing a head of state together, we fully share the common responsibility and common destiny of our fatherland," Matviyenko said. Vladimir Putin, 71, who was handed over the presidency by Boris Yeltsin on the last day of 1999, has already served as president for longer than any other ruler of Russia since Josef Stalin. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the presidential election is just a formality for Putin due to the support of the state, the state-run media and almost no mainstream public dissent. Most leading Russian opposition figures have been jailed or exiled. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Putin promises harsh punishment for foreign meddling in 2024 election

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (June 26) paid tributes to pilots who were killed during the failed mutiny of Wagner, confirming earlier reports of military bloggers that several aircraft were shot down by the mercenary group.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (June 26) paid tributes to pilots who were killed during the failed mutiny of Wagner, confirming earlier reports of military bloggers that several aircraft were shot down by the mercenary group. In his first public address since the mutiny, President Putin said, "The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences." There are no official details on how many pilots died or how many aircraft were shot down. However, some Russian Telegram channels that monitor Russia's military activity, said last Saturday (June 24) that 13 pilots were killed during the weekend mutiny. Also read | US knew about Wagner's rebellion plans but kept it secret from most allies: Reports The Rybar channel on Telegram said that among the aircraft shot down were three Mi-8 MTPR electronic warfare helicopters and an Il-18 aircraft with its crew. Last Saturday, Wagner fighters took control of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and its military command centre, then drove an armed convoy within 200 kilometres of Moscow before aborting their rebellion. Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said the group was forced to shoot down aircraft that attacked them on the way. Putin let mutiny continue to avoid bloodshed On Monday, Putin said that he let Wagner's mutiny continue to avoid bloodshed. "From the very beginning of the events, steps were taken on my direct instruction to avoid serious bloodshed," Putin said. "Time was needed, among other things, to give those who had made a mistake a chance to come to their senses, to realise that their actions were firmly rejected by society and that the adventure in which they had been involved had tragic and destructive consequences for Russia and for our state," the Russian president added. He thanked Wagner fighters and commanders who stood down from the mutiny to avoid what he called "fratricidal bloodshed." Putin said he would honour his promise to allow the fighters to relocate to Belarus if they wanted, or to sign a contract with the defence ministry or simply return to their families. However, he made no mention of Prigozhin. Jet linked to Prigozhin arrives in Belarus On Tuesday, a jet linked to Prigozhin arrived in Belarus believed to be carrying him to exile three days after the Wagner chief aborted the mutiny. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed an Embraer Legacy 600 jet, bearing identification codes that matched a plane linked to Prigozhin in American sanctions documents, descending to landing altitude near Minsk. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian President Putin confirms pilots killed during Wagner mutiny, pays tributes

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Federal Security Service to step up surveillance of Russians and borders. Watch this video to know more.

Vladimir Putin orders FSB to step up surveillance of Russians and borders

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered mass COVID-19 vaccination to start next week in Russia.

Vladimir Putin orders mass vaccinations against COVID-19 from next week in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed comparisons to a tsar on Thursday, arguing he "works every day" and listens to what people want.

"Well, this is not true," Putin said when asked about being described as a Russian imperial-era ruler.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions-blogs/wion-edit-vladimir-putin-may-remain-president-for-life-285897" hreflang="en">WION Edit: Vladimir Putin may remain President for life</a>

"Maybe someone else can be called a tsar. But in my case, I don't reign, I work every day," he told the state-run TASS news agency.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/business-economy/coronavirus-fears-continue-to-hurt-indian-markets-sensex-tumble-nearly-2000-points-287286" hreflang="en">Coronavirus fears continue to hurt Indian markets, Sensex tumble nearly 2,000 points</a>

The interview aired on Thursday as part of a series rolled out by TASS this month to mark 20 years since the 67-year-old Putin took the helm of Russian politics.

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It was not clear when the segments were recorded, but the series began airing before Putin said this month that he wants an opportunity to run for president again, as part of his constitutional reforms.

Explained:<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions-blogs/explained-how-vladimir-putin-could-stay-russian-president-for-two-more-terms-285657" hreflang="en"> How Vladimir Putin could stay Russian President for two more terms</a>

The reforms proposed in January include granting more power to parliament and strengthening the role of the State Council.

An amendment approved last week would allow Putin to run for another six years in the Kremlin in 2024 and again in 2030. The reforms will be subject to a public vote.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/twenty-years-of-vladimir-putin-274723" hreflang="en">Key dates in President Vladimir Putin's life: 1952 - 2020</a>

When asked what he foresees past 2024, Putin deferred to the perspective of "people's sentiments... what they want."

"The primary source of power is the people," he said. "It's very important for me to feel and understand what people want."

"A tsar is one who just sits there, looks down from above and says: 'They will do as I order,' while he just tries on a cap and looks at himself in the mirror," Putin said.

"On the contrary, I work every day."

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed comparisons to a tsar on Thursday, arguing he "works every day" and listens to what people want. "Well, this is not true," Putin said when asked about being described as a Russian imperial-era ruler.

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed comparisons to a tsar on Thursday, arguing he "works every day" and listens to what people want. "Well, this is not true," Putin said when asked about being described as a Russian imperial-era ruler. Also read: WION Edit: Vladimir Putin may remain President for life "Maybe someone else can be called a tsar. But in my case, I don't reign, I work every day," he told the state-run TASS news agency. Also read: Coronavirus fears continue to hurt Indian markets, Sensex tumble nearly 2,000 points The interview aired on Thursday as part of a series rolled out by TASS this month to mark 20 years since the 67-year-old Putin took the helm of Russian politics. It was not clear when the segments were recorded, but the series began airing before Putin said this month that he wants an opportunity to run for president again, as part of his constitutional reforms. Explained: How Vladimir Putin could stay Russian President for two more terms The reforms proposed in January include granting more power to parliament and strengthening the role of the State Council. An amendment approved last week would allow Putin to run for another six years in the Kremlin in 2024 and again in 2030. The reforms will be subject to a public vote. In pics: Key dates in President Vladimir Putin's life: 1952 - 2020 When asked what he foresees past 2024, Putin deferred to the perspective of "people's sentiments... what they want." "The primary source of power is the people," he said. "It's very important for me to feel and understand what people want." "A tsar is one who just sits there, looks down from above and says: 'They will do as I order,' while he just tries on a cap and looks at himself in the mirror," Putin said. "On the contrary, I work every day."

Russian President Vladimir Putin says, 'I am not a 'tsar', I work every day'