Putin begins new term as Russia’s president, has held power for 18 years

World Today

Vladimir Putin enters to take the oath during his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s new president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is sworn-in for another 6 years. He’s held power for 18 years, as either president or prime minister.

CGTN’S Julia Lyubova is in Moscow with more on Putin’s promises for a new term.

At Putin’s inauguration, he pledged to modernize Russia.

The lavish ceremony was attended by some 5,000 guests at the Kremlin. They watched as Putin was sworn in as the President of Russia for his 4th term.

Putin promised to serve the Russian people, to safeguard rights and freedoms and to protect Russia’s sovereignty.

“I see it as my duty and a purpose of my entire life to do everything for Russia, for its present and the future,” pledged Putin.

The inauguration came after Putin’s victory in the election held in March where he won more than 70 percent of the votes.

Shortly after his inauguration, Putin put forward the incumbent Dmitry Medvedev for the post of Prime Minister. Medvedev’s candidacy has to be approved by the State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament but it looked like that partnership at the highest level was set to continue.

The inauguration was preceded by the arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny a protest against Putin, whom they accuse of corruption.

But Putin still enjoys strong support in Russia.

“Most of Russians regard this day as symbolic because they want to see their country great, to see Russia great,” Political Analyst Vladimir Sotnikov said.

Putin’s inauguration came amid a confrontation with the West over Russia’s alleged interference in the U.S. presidential election, the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the U.K., and Russia’s support of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad.

Putin and the government have a big task ahead to tackle economic uncertainties over low oil prices and Western sanctions.

Vladimir Golstein on Putin’s inauguration in Russia

For more on Putin’s inauguration, CGTN’s Mike Walter interviewed Vladimir Golstein, a professor of Russian Studies at Brown University.