Vladimir Putin was sworn-in for his fifth time period as Russian chief Tuesday, renewing his dominance over the nation in a glittering Kremlin ceremony as his military advances in Ukraine on the peak of Moscow’s worst confrontation with the West for the reason that Soviet period.
Putin, 71, prolonged his rule in an successfully uncontested election in March, having crushed any political opposition and launched the invasion of Ukraine that set Russia on its path to unprecedented world isolation and home repression.
Having tightened his quarter-century grip on energy, Putin positioned his hand atop the Russian structure at Tuesday’s ceremony and vowed to serve the Russian individuals. “We’re a united and nice individuals and collectively we’ll overcome all obstacles, understand all our plans. Collectively we’ll win!” he mentioned after being sworn in earlier than a grand corridor full of dignitaries.
The USA and plenty of different Western international locations boycotted the inauguration, which got here only a day after Putin’s newest spherical of nuclear saber-rattling.
Russian state TV broadcast the one-hour ceremony reside, accompanied by enthusiastic commentary, displaying Putin strolling out of his workplace within the Kremlin as he bought right into a automotive for a brief drive to the ceremony as snow fell on Moscow.
He then walked the crimson carpet of the Kremlin’s historic halls to the applause of tons of of visitors, together with cupboard ministers, parliamentarians and celebrities, together with American actor Steven Seagal who has supported Putin for years.
The Russian chief stopped to shake a number of arms earlier than he took to the stage to resume his oath to the Russian individuals.
“I need to bow to our heroes, individuals within the particular army operation, everybody who’s preventing for the Motherland,” Putin mentioned, utilizing the Kremlin’s time period for his battle in Ukraine.
As he vowed that Russians alone will decide the destiny of the nation, Putin — in energy as both president or prime minister since 2000 — additionally mentioned that Moscow was open to dialogue with Western governments, so long as they modified their strategy.
“The selection is theirs: do they intend to proceed attempting to restrain the event of Russia, proceed the coverage of aggression, steady strain on our nation for years, or search for a path to cooperation and peace,” he added. Putin has framed his invasion of Ukraine as a part of an existential battle with the West, which he blames for attempting to subdue Russia’s would possibly.
The inauguration is normally attended by dozens of international dignitaries, however the Kremlin has been engaged in a rising conflict with the U.S. and European powers over the battle in Ukraine.
Putin appeared to ship a message to his foes the day earlier than the inauguration, ordering drills simulating using tactical nuclear weapons. Russia’s protection ministry mentioned Monday that the drills, which can take a look at the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to carry out fight missions, was a response to “provocative statements and threats by sure Western officers towards the Russian Federation.”
It seems to be a rebuke of French President Emmanuel Macron, who has spoken a number of occasions in current months about the potential of sending Western troops to Ukraine. British Overseas Secretary David Cameron additionally riled up the Kremlin final week when he advised Reuters that Kyiv had the proper to make use of British-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia.
The Russian chief has few remaining enemies to fight at dwelling, however it’s anticipated he’ll perform a authorities reshuffle after the ceremony.
All eyes will likely be on any modifications within the positions of the prime minister, at present occupied by loyal technocrat Mikhail Mishustin, and protection minister, held by long-time ally Sergei Shoigu. The latter was hit by a current corruption scandal involving one in every of his deputies and allies.
Analysts may even be watching carefully for doable successors jockeying for place, although there’s no signal Putin intends to relinquish energy.
He’ll quickly match Soviet chief Josef Stalin because the nation’s longest-serving trendy ruler. Putin is eligible to run for an additional six-year time period after his present tenure expires in 2030, when he will likely be 77.