Vladimir Putin Inaugurated for Fifth Term as President, Emphasizes Religious Mission in Ceremony
In a grand ceremony filled with pageantry and a televised church service, Vladimir V. Putin was inaugurated for a fifth term as president of Russia on Tuesday. The Russian leader used the occasion to once again portray his invasion of Ukraine as a religiously righteous mission that is deeply rooted in the country’s history.
Taking the presidential oath with his hand on a red-bound copy of Russia’s constitution, Putin swore to “respect and safeguard the rights and freedoms of man and citizen.” This oath, however, comes amidst criticism from Western nations who dismissed his reelection in March as a sham.
If Putin serves the full six years of his new term, he will become the longest-serving Russian leader since Empress Catherine the Great in the 19th century. In his speech after taking the oath, Putin declared, “Together, we will be victorious!”
The ceremony also included a church service led by Patriarch Kirill I, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, inside the Kremlin’s Cathedral of the Annunciation. The patriarch blessed Putin, emphasizing the religious aspect of his rule and framing his invasion of Ukraine as justified before God.
Despite the intensifying tensions with the West, Putin mentioned the possibility of dialogue, particularly on issues of strategic stability with the United States. However, he made it clear that any talks must be on equal terms, respecting each other’s interests.
As Putin solidifies his power domestically, with more than 2,000 government officials and loyal supporters in attendance at the inauguration, critics continue to voice their opposition. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of prominent opposition politician Aleksei A. Navalny, condemned Putin’s inauguration as she labeled him a “liar, a thief, and a murderer.”
The tightly scripted state television broadcast of the ceremony portrayed Putin as a humble yet strong leader, emphasizing stability and peace under his rule. With supporters like American actor Steven Seagal expressing confidence in Russia’s future with Putin at the helm, the Russian president’s grip on power remains firm.
As Putin embarks on his fifth term as president, the world watches closely to see how his leadership will shape the future of Russia and its relations with the international community.
