After the East German regime collapsed , Putin was recalled to the Soviet Union and returned to Leningrad , where in June 1990 he assumed a position with the International Affairs section of Leningrad State University , reporting to the Vice-Rector . Following the collapse of the East German regime , Putin was recalled to the Soviet Union and returned to Leningrad , where in June 1991 he assumed a position with the International Affairs section of Leningrad State University , reporting to Vice-Rector Yuriy Molchanov .