Russian leadership is primarily characterized by the role of the President, who holds significant power over the government and military. As of October 2023, Vladimir Putin has been the President of Russia since 2012, having previously served from 2000 to 2008. The President is responsible for setting national policy, representing Russia internationally, and overseeing the executive branch. The Russian political system is often described as a semi-presidential republic, where the President shares power with the Prime Minister and the Federal Assembly. However, the President typically has more influence, leading to a centralized form of governance. This structure has been a subject of both domestic and international scrutiny.