Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russia's president for the fifth time on Tuesday, setting the stage for another six years in power as he leads the country in its devastating war against neighboring Ukraine.

After Putin took the oath of office under the leadership of the head of the Constitutional Court, Valery Zorkin, he was officially sworn in as president.

In a short speech after being sworn in, Putin repeated his previous calls for national unity amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has claimed thousands of lives and isolated Moscow from the West.

“We are a united and great nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles and achieve everything we have planned. Together we will win,” he said.

“I assure you that I will continue to put the interests and safety of the people of Russia above all,” the Russian leader added, retelling the text of the presidential oath. “This is what determined the meaning and essence of my work in previous years.”

The 71-year-old has been in power for more than two decades. In March, he secured another six-year term as president after winning an election marred by widespread reports of fraud and in which no credible opposition was given a chance to run.

Although Putin was constitutionally mandated to step down in 2024, changes made to the Russian Constitution in 2020 reset the limits on his presidential term, allowing him to remain in office until 2030.

The lavish ceremony, which began at noon local time on Tuesday, took place at the Grand Kremlin Palace, where thousands of guests were in attendance, including Russian government officials, members of parliament, celebrities and businessmen. Among the most high-profile participants were Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the leader of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

Some foreign guests were also present at the ceremony, including Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Russia said it had invited all foreign ambassadors in Moscow to the inauguration, but the United States, Canada and Britain, as well as 20 EU member states, said they would not send any representatives to Tuesday's inauguration, effectively boycotting the event.

Russian troops who fought on the front lines in Ukraine were also among those present at Putin's swearing-in ceremony, and the president addressed the soldiers directly during his brief speech.

“I want to bow to our heroes, the participants in the special military operation, all those who are fighting for our Fatherland,” Putin said, using the Kremlin’s favorite term for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“We must do everything possible to ensure that people who have proven their loyalty to the Fatherland occupy leadership positions in government,” he continued.

Shortly after Tuesday's inauguration ceremony, Putin attended a prayer service led by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, who blessed the president.

“God himself has entrusted you with the service of Russia,” the church leader told Putin during the service.

Patriarch Kirill also compared Putin to Alexander Nevsky, the medieval ruler of Novgorod, adding that he prays for the president to remain in power “until the end of the century.”

Putin's inauguration came two days before nationwide celebrations of Victory Day, when Russia marks the anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. During these celebrations, he is expected to make another speech at a military parade on Red Square.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed an order to resign his cabinet in accordance with the Russian Constitution after the inauguration.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier told reporters that Putin would likely name his prime minister later on Tuesday, although most experts believe Mishustin will retain his post. The new head of government will propose the composition of the cabinet of ministers for approval by the president.

Earlier on Tuesday , Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said memories of Putin's previous presidential term would be defined by the "senseless and bloody" Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“For me personally, Putin’s six years are the years when my husband Alexei Navalny, an honest and brave man, a true patriot, was persecuted, poisoned with chemical weapons, tried for three years, tortured in prison, and then killed,” Navalnaya said. in a video released ahead of the inauguration ceremony.


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