(b. 1952) Russian politician who has served as the president of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 2000 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. Putin worked as a KGB foreign intelligence officer for 16 years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, before resigning in 1991 to begin a political career in Saint Petersburg. He later moved to Moscow in 1996 to join the administration of President Boris Yeltsin, serving first as Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the KGB's successor agency, before being appointed as prime minister in August 1999. After the resignation of Yeltsin, Putin was elected to succeed him. Important D.S., signed decree as President, 1p. 4to., 'Moscow, Kremlin', Mar. 19, 2015, an 'ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION' It reads, in part: '...About the Eastern Economic Forum In order to promote the accelerated development of the economy of the Far East and the expansion of international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, I hereby decree: Eastern Economic Forum 1. Establish, held annually in Vladivostok 2. To establish an Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of the Eastern Economic Forum. 3. To approve the attached Regulations on the Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of the Eastern Economic Forum. 4. Hold the Eastern Economic Forum on September 3-5, 2015. 5. The Government of the Russian Federation shall determine the sources of funding for the events of the Eastern Economic Forum for the preparation and holding of the Eastern Economic Forum. 6. This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its signing....' Fine condition. According to the Russian Government: 'The Eastern Economic Forum is a key international platform for establishing and strengthening ties within the Russian and global investment communities, and for comprehensive expert evaluation of the economic potential of the Russian Far East, the investment opportunities it offers, and business conditions within advanced special economic zones.' It is an especially important body in light of today's strengthening alignment of Russian and Chinese interests against the policies of the United States and some of its allies.