Vladimir Putin began his fifth term as Russia’s president with a lavish inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin, with his new term extending until 2030 becoming the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin, Associated Press reports.
Since coming to power in 1999, Putin has transformed Russia into a global power but faced criticism for his authoritarian rule, including crushing political opponents and instigating the war in Ukraine. Putin, 71, vowed to defend the Russian Constitution, emphasizing unity and resilience against obstacles.
The ceremony was marked by a display of military power, with Putin thanking “heroes” of the war in Ukraine and criticizing Western aggression against Russia. The Russian Orthodox Church blessed Putin during the ceremony, drawing parallels between him and medieval rulers. The ceremony was attended by over 2,500 guests including celebrities like Steven Seagal, but notably absent were the US and UK ambassadors.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine sees Russian forces gaining ground while facing resistance from Ukrainian forces. Putin aims to protect Russian sovereignty and establish a buffer zone in Ukraine to prevent cross-border attacks.
