Vladimir Medinsky

Vladimir Rostislavovich Medinsky (Russian: Владимир Ростиславович Мединский; born 18 July 1970) is a Russian politician, diplomat and historian who currently serves as an Aide to President Vladimir Putin. Previously, he has served as the Minister of Culture from May 2012 to January 2020. He was a member of the 4th and 5 State Duma from 2004 to 2011. He has been a member of the General Council of the United Russia party since 2017. Medinsky has the federal state civilian service rank of 1st class Active State Councillor of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Medinsky's views have been characterized by some media as statist and ultraconservative. His political career began in 1992 after his graduation from Moscow State Institute of International Relations, where he earned a degree in international relations. Forbes has described Medinsky as a member of Vladimir Putin’s "ideological clan". After becoming a member of the State Duma in 2003, he soon emerged as a prominent figure in the Russian political establishment. During this period, Medinsky gained recognition as a notable political strategist, campaign manager, publicist, and popularizer of history. Medinsky rose to prominence among readers through a series of non-fiction books on Russian history. In 2012, his debut historical novel, The Wall, was published, focusing on the events of the Time of Troubles. The novel was later adapted into a film, and theatrical productions based on it were staged at Moscow's Maly Theatre, as well as at theatres of Smolensk and Vladivostok. In addition to his government positions, he serves as Chairman of the Russian Military-Historical Society (a nationwide public-state organization) and Chairman of the Union of Writers of Russia (a nationwide public organization).