Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in on Tuesday in a lavish ceremony at the Kremlin for a fifth term, with more power than ever, the AFP agency reports.
Putin, 71, has ruled Russia since the turn of the century, securing a new six-year term in March after winning an unopposed presidential election.
The moment Vladimir Putin was sworn in, below:
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term by thanking the nation for its support and the military fighting the war in Ukraine.
“I would like to thank the participants of the special military operation, I would like to thank everyone who fights for our homeland,” he said.
“The fate of Russia will be determined only by ourselves (…) We will go through this difficult time with dignity and become even stronger,” Putin said at the inauguration ceremony, adding: “We are a united and great nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles, achieve everything we have planned and , together, we will overcome.”
Vladimir Putin has claimed that Russia is ready to become an “honest” partner with anyone who is willing.
“We do not even refuse dialogue with Western countries,” he declared.
“We will see if they will continue to stop the development of our country and continue to put pressure on our country or if they will look for ways to cooperate with us.”
Most Western countries did not send any representatives to the ceremony, which was punctuated by a cannon fire.
American actor Steven Seagal, a fervent supporter of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, was not absent from the inauguration ceremony.
