The Russian dictator was first sworn in as president almost a quarter of a century ago in May 2000, when he vowed to 'preserve and develop democracy' and to 'take care of Russia.'
Vladimir Putin has been sworn in for his fifth term as Russia 's president in front of dignitaries, celebrities and friends, including US actor Steven Seagal and a biker gang leader known as 'The Surgeon'.
'Our country is being led by a liar, a thief and a murderer. But this will definitely come to an end,' said Navalnaya, the exiled widow of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison. The pair first bonded over their shared love of martial arts and the Hard to Kill and Under Siege actor last year received an Order of Friendship medal from Putin.
Also in attendance was Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, a crony of Putin's who has been the subject of claims that he is terminally ill in recent weeks. While many Western governments boycotted the event, an anonymous French diplomat confirmed that the French ambassador attended. Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Irina Yarovaya attends the inauguration ceremonySoldiers of the Presidential Regiment bring in the national flag during the inauguration ceremony of Vladimir Putin
After he was sworn in, Putin met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, in part of the ceremony which symbolises the backing of the new leader by the church. '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.
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 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.Actor and producer Ivan Okhlobystin waits before a ceremony inaugurating Vladimir Putin
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.
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