Arnold Rüütel (Estonian pronunciation: [ˈɑrːnolʲtʲ ˈryːtːːelʲ], May 10, 1928 – December 31, 2024) was an Estonian politician. He was the third President of Estonia from 8 October 2001 to 9 October 2006. Rüütel was the second president of the country after the end of the 1944–1991 Soviet occupation, and the restoration of the independent Republic of Estonia on 20 August 1991.