Russia now has a new leader and unlike his predecessor Vladimiar Putin, the new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has neither ties to any secret organizations nor the Soviet Communist party. The former lawyer still maintains a close relationship with Putin who is a recognized ex-KGB agent. Winning the elections in March 2008, Medvedev quickly refuted rumors that Putin still holds power as president as he reiterates that he will now be responsible in shaping Russia’s home and foreign policies. Prior to being Russia’s president, his previous job posts includes being Putin’s deputy prime minister and CEO of Gazprom, Russia’s premier gas company.