Claim: Vladimir Putin was the leader of the Russian government.
Evidence: Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin -LRB- ˈ ; born 7 October 1952 -RRB- is the current President of the Russian Federation , holding the office since 7 May 2012.
The President of the Russian Federation -LRB- -LSB- Президент Российской Федерации , r = Prezident Rossiiskoi Federatsii -RSB- -RRB- is the elected head of state , Supreme Commander-in-Chief and holder of the highest office within the Russian Federation.