Vladimir Putin, the long-standing leader of Russia, has been inaugurated for his fifth term as the nation's President.
The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, celebrities, and personal acquaintances, including American actor Steven Seagal and Alexander Zaldastanov, the leader of a biker gang known as "The Surgeon."
Putin first assumed the presidency nearly a quarter-century ago in May 2000, pledging at the time to 'preserve and develop democracy' and to "take care of Russia." Since then, his leadership has seen Russia embroiled in a full-scale war with Ukraine, resulting in an alarming number of Russian casualties. Putin's regime has also been marked by the ruthless suppression of opposition, either through arrests, assassinations, or alleged election rigging.
Yulia Navalnaya, a prominent figure in the Russian opposition and the widow of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison, labeled President Putin a 'liar, a thief, and a murderer' in a statement preceding his inauguration ceremony.
The inauguration took place in the ornate Grand Kremlin Palace, where Putin placed his hand on the Russian Constitution and pledged to defend it before a crowd of hand-selected dignitaries. Among those present were fellow politicians, as well as personal friends of Putin, such as Hollywood actor Seagal, who was granted Russian citizenship in 2017. Seagal, who shares a love of martial arts with Putin, received an Order of Friendship medal from the Russian leader last year. The actor, now 72, lauded his friend as the 'greatest world leader' and predicted a prosperous future for Russia under Putin's rule.
Also present at the ceremony was Alexander Zaldastanov, the leader of a biker club, who arrived clad in leather, sporting his signature unruly beard and long hair. Zaldastanov, a self-proclaimed "friend" of Putin, has faced Western sanctions for his support of Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic and a close associate of Putin, was also in attendance. Kadyrov, who has recently been rumored to be terminally ill, appeared to struggle as he ascended the stairs into the hall, assisted by his aides.
Putin's entrance into the hall was met with applause from the over 2,500 attendees, as reported by his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The red carpet was lined with senior members of the Russian government, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
While many Western governments chose to boycott the event, an anonymous French diplomat confirmed the attendance of the French ambassador. However, US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy was not present, with Russian state news agency Tass reporting that she was out of the country.
In his speech, Putin asserted that Russia would emerge stronger from its current "difficult" period, an apparent reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine. "We will pass through this difficult period with dignity and become even stronger," Putin said, adding: "We are a united and great nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles, realize everything we have planned, and together, we will win."
Since succeeding President Boris Yeltsin in the final hours of 1999, Putin has overseen Russia's transformation from a nation recovering from economic collapse to a pariah state that poses a threat to global security. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which has become Europe's largest conflict since World War II, Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the West and has sought support from other regimes such as China, Iran, and North Korea.
In his speech, Putin insisted that Russia is not refusing dialogue with Ukraine's allies and lamented the "pressure" being exerted on Russia. He claimed that Moscow is ready to become an 'honest' partner with anyone willing.
After his inauguration, Putin met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, in a part of the ceremony symbolizing the church's endorsement of the new leader.
Putin, who went from being a relatively unknown KGB agent to the leader of the world's largest country, was first inaugurated as President exactly 24 years ago, making him the second democratically elected President in the country's history. He said at the time: "We want Russia to be free and flourishing, a rich, strong and civilized country of which its citizens are proud and which is respected in the world,"
"The construction of a democratic society has not been completed; we have to preserve and develop democracy," he added in the 10-minute address, which he made after being sworn in.
Now the longest-serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin, the question remains what the 71-year-old Putin will do over the course of another six years in power.
Russian forces are making progress in Ukraine, employing scorched-earth tactics as Kyiv struggles with shortages of men and ammunition. Both sides are suffering heavy casualties.
Ukraine has brought the battle to Russian soil through drone and missile attacks, particularly in border regions. In a speech in February, Putin pledged to fulfill Moscow's objectives in Ukraine and to do what is necessary to 'defend our sovereignty and security of our citizens.'
Shortly after his orchestrated reelection in March, Putin suggested that a confrontation between NATO and Russia is possible, and he declared he wanted to carve out a buffer zone in Ukraine to protect his country from cross-border attacks.
At home, Putin's popularity is closely tied to improving living standards for ordinary Russians.
He began his term in 2018 by promising to propel Russia into the top five global economies, declaring it should be 'modern and dynamic.' Instead, Russia's economy has pivoted to a war footing, and authorities are spending record amounts on defense.
Analysts suggest that now that Putin has secured another six years in power, the government could take the unpopular steps of raising taxes to fund the war and pressuring more men to join the military.
At the start of a new term, the Russian government is routinely dissolved so that Putin can name a new prime minister and Cabinet. One key area to watch is the Defense Ministry.
Last year, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu came under pressure over his conduct of the war, with mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin launching scathing criticism against him for shortages of ammunition for his private contractors fighting in Ukraine.
Prigozhin's brief uprising in June against the Defense Ministry represented the biggest threat to Putin's rule.
After Prigozhin was killed two months later in a mysterious plane crash, Shoigu appeared to have survived the infighting. But last month, his protege, Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, was detained on charges of bribery amid reports of rampant corruption.
Some analysts have suggested Shoigu could become a victim of the government reshuffle but that would be a bold move as the war is still raging in Ukraine.
In the years following the invasion, authorities have cracked down on any form of dissent with a ferocity not seen since Soviet times. There is no sign that this repression will ease in Putin's new term.
His greatest political foe, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic penal colony in February. Other prominent critics have either been imprisoned or have fled the country, and even some of his opponents abroad fear for their security.
Laws have been enacted that threaten long prison terms for anyone who discredits the military. The Kremlin also targets independent media, rights groups, LGBTQ+ activists and others who don't adhere to what Putin has emphasized as Russia's "traditional family values."
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