Today marks Russian President Vladimir Putin's 72nd birthday, a day he will spend working, as he has done throughout his 21 years in office. As in previous years, his schedule remains packed with duties. Starting early in the day, Putin typically receives congratulatory messages from foreign leaders via telegrams and phone calls. Several closed-door meetings are scheduled for the morning, followed by an evening meeting with leaders from CIS countries, who will gather in Moscow ahead of a summit planned for Tuesday.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has emphasized that Putin doesn’t allow himself even a single day of rest. As Peskov stated, “Documents keep coming, the country keeps running—whether it's freezing cold, scorching heat, transportation failures, or international situations developing unfavorably.” Putin often handles state matters at any hour, even during the night, demonstrating his continuous commitment to his role.
The one exception was in 2014 when Putin took his birthday off and retreated into the remote taiga, walking nearly 9 km through the mountains. Despite this brief escape, Putin has always avoided discussing his birthday publicly, seeing it as a private affair rather than a national event. He prefers to celebrate in the company of family and close friends, and his schedule is usually adjusted to allow him time with them in the evening.
Significantly, Putin has made it a tradition to meet with CIS leaders on this day. In 2023, he spent his birthday with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, taking part in a ceremony marking the beginning of Russian gas supplies to Uzbekistan. In 2022, he hosted an informal summit with CIS leaders at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna, near St. Petersburg.
On only two occasions during his presidency did Putin spend his birthday abroad. In 2002, he was in Chișinău for a CIS summit on his 50th birthday, and in 2013, he was on the Indonesian island of Bali, receiving congratulations from APEC leaders. In 2007, on his 55th birthday, he held a public celebration, inviting members of the Security Council and military leaders to the Kremlin as he neared the end of his second presidential term.
Although Putin tends to downplay the significance of his birthday, he often receives symbolic gifts from foreign leaders. In 2022, for his 70th birthday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko gave him a Belarus tractor. In 2017, Turkmenistan's then-President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gifted him an Alabai puppy, while former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi presented a duvet cover with hand-embroidered depictions of the two leaders against landmarks from their respective countries. One of the most memorable gifts came in 2008 when Putin was given a Ussuri tiger cub, which was later relocated to a safari park for proper care.
On occasion, Putin also gives gifts. In 2022, a young girl from Pskov received an Akita Inu puppy from the president, fulfilling her dream after she secretly wrote him a letter without her parents' knowledge.
This year, following his re-election, Putin’s personal page on the Kremlin website was updated for the first time in six years, highlighting key moments in the nation's history and his leadership.
For Putin, the qualities he values most in people are integrity and tolerance, and he respects those who are not afraid to voice differing opinions. “I appreciate those who can say, 'I think you’re wrong, Vladimir Vladimirovich,'” he once remarked. He views betrayal as the gravest sin in human relations, considering it the “vilest crime imaginable,” and is equally intolerant of dishonesty. He believes that for any leader, the ability to listen, understand, and address the country's and people's problems is paramount.
Despite the challenges Russia faces, including the ongoing military operation in Ukraine, international sanctions, and occasionally harsh words from Western leaders, Putin remains committed to dialogue. He maintains that “constructive negotiations” are essential for resolving even the most difficult issues, and he remains open to such discussions.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS