各国名人英文介绍-Dmitry Medvedev（在线收听）

Dmitry Medvedev is the third and current President of Russia. He took office in May 2008 after winning the presidential election with 70% of the vote. He was formerly Deputy Prime Minister and Vladimir Putin’s chief of staff and right-hand man. Medvedev has a business background, serving as chairman of Russia’s energy giant Gazprom. Many believe his youthfulness will energize Russia’s role in the world.

Medvedev was born in 1965 to university professor parents. He was brought up in Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) in the former Soviet Union. He was a grade-A student throughout school and went on to study law at Leningrad State University. In 1990, he received his Ph.D. in private law. His first job was in Leningrad’s government. His supervisor was Vladimir Putin.

Between 1991 and 1996 Medvedev was a lawyer for the Saint Petersburg mayor. He specialized in international relations and once again, his boss was Vladimir Putin. While working for the mayor, Medvedev was also the legal affairs director of a timber company. He was a shrewd businessman and ended up owning fifty per cent of the company’s shares.

In 1999, Medvedev’s connection with Vladimir Putin continued. Putin invited Medvedev to take up a top government position in Moscow as deputy head of the presidential staff. Medvedev became one of President Putin’s closest advisors. In November 2005, he was appointed as First Deputy Prime Minister. After becoming President, he promised the Russian people he would “protect civil and economic freedoms”.