President Vladimir Putin was sworn into his fifth term as Russia's leader on Tuesday in a glittering Kremlin ceremony attended by the country's political elite but boycotted by the United States, the United Kingdom, and most European Union nations. The inauguration, which could see Putin remain in power for a total of 30 years, was marked by a bellicose speech championing Russia's national interests as the country wages war in Ukraine and clashes with the West.
In his address, Putin sought to claim a mandate for a foreign policy that has left tens of thousands of Russians and Ukrainians dead after two years of conflict, asserting that citizens had "confirmed the correctness of the country's course." He emphasized the importance of this support as Russia faces "serious challenges" and vowed to "steadfastly defend our choice, our values, freedom and Russia's national interests."
The ceremony, held in the Grand Kremlin Palace's St Andrew Hall, was attended by more than 2,500 invited guests, including senior members of the Russian government and celebrities such as American actor Steven Seagal. However, the U.S., U.K., and German ambassadors were notably absent, with the U.S. Embassy stating that Ambassador Lynne Tracy was out of the country on "prescheduled, personal travel."
The Kremlin downplayed the boycott, pointing to a handful of European countries that sent representatives, including France, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus. A French diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the French ambassador was present at the inauguration.
The varying diplomatic response highlighted the divisions among Western powers over how to handle the Russian leader more than two years after he launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry released a statement saying it saw "no legal grounds for recognising him as the democratically elected and legitimate president of the Russian Federation" and accused Putin of turning Russia into an "aggressor state" and its ruling regime into a "dictatorship."
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Putin reviewed the presidential regiment in the Kremlin's Cathedral Square and then walked into nearby Annunciation Cathedral for a blessing from Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church. During the brief service, Kirill compared Putin to Prince Alexander Nevsky, the medieval ruler who "courageously defended their people on the battlefield," and reminded the president that he may have to make "fateful and formidable decisions" that can lead to casualties.
With Putin now embarking on another six-year term, the question remains as to what he will do both at home and abroad. Russian forces continue to gain ground in Ukraine, deploying scorched-earth tactics as Kyiv grapples with shortages of men and ammunition. Meanwhile, the Russian government has been dissolved, paving the way for Putin to name a new prime minister and Cabinet, with the Defense Ministry being a key area to watch amid reports of corruption and the ongoing war effort.
At home, Putin's popularity is closely tied to improving living standards for ordinary Russians, but since the invasion of Ukraine, many have seen the cost of living rise. Analysts suggest that with Putin securing another six years in power, the government could take unpopular steps such as raising taxes to fund the war and pressuring more men to join the military.
