Vladimir Putin Sworn In for Fifth Term as Russian President

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been sworn into office for his fifth term at a lavish Kremlin ceremony.

Putin took his oath of office in March after winning a landslide victory in a tightly controlled election.

The election had barred two anti-war candidates on technical grounds, and Putin’s best-known opponent, Alexei Navalny, had died suddenly in an Arctic penal colony a month earlier.

Putin, 71, has ruled Russia since the turn of the century, securing a fresh six-year mandate in March after winning presidential elections devoid of significant opposition.

He has dominated the domestic political landscape while facing off with western nations over the war in Ukraine.

In his inauguration speech, Putin told Russia’s political elite that he was not shutting down dialogue with the West but that engagement would depend on the West’s choices.

He also mentioned the possibility of talks on strategic nuclear stability with the West, but emphasized they would need to be on equal terms.

“We are a united and great people, and together we will overcome all obstacles and bring to life everything we have planned. Together, we will be victorious,” Putin declared.

The United States, along with Britain, Canada, and most European Union nations, chose to boycott the inauguration ceremony, citing concerns about the fairness of the election. France, however, decided to send its ambassador.