For the fifth time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken the oath of office in a grand ceremony at the Kremlin.
In the March election, Putin secured a landslide victory in an environment where two anti-war candidates were disqualified on technical grounds.
Tragically, Putin’s prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny, passed away in an Arctic prison just a month before, while other critics are either imprisoned or have fled the country.
At 71, Putin has been at the helm of Russia since the beginning of the century, winning another six-year term after a presidential election that lacked any credible opposition.
On the domestic front, Putin’s influence is undeniable, whereas internationally, he is engaged in a standoff with Western nations over the conflict in Ukraine.
Following his inauguration, Putin conveyed to Russia’s political elite the importance of maintaining an open dialogue with the West, emphasizing that mutual respect should guide such engagements.
He also hinted at the possibility of discussions on strategic nuclear stability with Western powers, but insisted on equal terms for such negotiations.
“We stand united as a great nation. Together, we can surmount any challenges, realizing the goals we have set. Together, we will triumph,” Putin affirmed.
The United States, along with several European nations, boycotted the inauguration, citing concerns over the fairness of the election. However, France chose to be represented by its ambassador.