Russia: Vladimir Putin Officially Takes Office for Fifth Term as President

On May 7, Vladimir Putin officially took office as President of the Russian Federation for his fifth term. This was announced during the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin’s Andreyevsky Hall by Valery Zorkin, chairman of the Russian Constitutional Court. Putin’s new mandate, which won more than 87% of votes in the March 15-17, 2024 presidential election, will last six years, until 2030.

During the ceremony, Putin took the oath of office on the text of the Russian Constitution, promising to respect and protect the rights of man and citizen, respect and protect the Constitution, sovereignty, independence, and security of the country.

After the oath of office, Putin delivered a speech, in which he emphasized that Russia has recently faced a period of bitter trials: “I am confident that we will pass through this difficult, milestone period with dignity, become even stronger and will definitely implement long-term plans and large-scale projects aimed at achieving development goals.”

As for international relations, Putin emphasized that Russia, despite everything, does not refuse to dialog with Western countries, but wants the dialog on security and strategic stability to proceed on an equal footing. “We are not refusing dialog with Western countries. The choice is theirs: whether they intend to continue to try holding back Russia’s development, to continue their policy of aggression and unceasing pressure on our country over the years, or to seek a path to cooperation and peace. I repeat: a conversation, particularly on issues of security and strategic stability, is possible. But not from a position of strength, without any arrogance, conceit, and their own exclusivity, but only on an equal footing, respecting each other’s interests,” Putin said.

Speech at the ceremony of taking office of the President of Russia

Dear citizens of Russia, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

In these solemn and responsible moments of assuming the office of President, I would like to wholeheartedly thank the citizens of Russia in all regions of our country, the inhabitants of our historical lands who have defended the right to be together with the Motherland.

I want to bow to our heroes, participants of the special military operation, all those who are fighting for the Fatherland.

Once again, I thank you for your trust and support, and now I am addressing every citizen of Russia.

I understand that this is a great honor, responsibility, and sacred duty. This is what defined the meaning and content of my work in previous years. I assure you that I will continue to place the interests and security of the people of Russia above all else.

The consolidated will of millions of people is a colossal force, evidence of our common firm belief that we will determine the fate of Russia ourselves and only ourselves, for the sake of today’s and future generations.

You, the citizens of Russia, have confirmed the correctness of the country’s course. This is of great importance now, when we are facing serious challenges. I see in this a deep understanding of our common historical goals, the determination to steadfastly defend our choice, our values, freedom, and national interests of Russia.

I am confident that we will pass through this difficult, milestone period with dignity, become even stronger and will definitely implement long-term plans and large-scale projects aimed at achieving development goals.

And this is, first of all, about saving people. I am confident that support for centuries-old family values and traditions will continue to unite public and religious associations, political parties, and all levels of government.

Our decisions on the development of the country and regions should be effective and fair, improve the welfare and quality of life of Russian families.

We have been and will continue to be open to strengthening good relations with all countries that see Russia as a reliable and honest partner. And this is indeed the world majority.

We are not refusing dialog with Western countries. The choice is theirs: whether they intend to continue to try holding back Russia’s development, to continue their policy of aggression and unceasing pressure on our country over the years, or to seek a path to cooperation and peace.

I repeat: a conversation, particularly on issues of security and strategic stability, is possible. But not from a position of strength, without any arrogance, conceit, and their own exclusivity, but only on an equal footing, respecting each other’s interests.

Together with our partners in Eurasian integration and other sovereign centers of development, we will continue to work on the formation of a multipolar world order and an equal and indivisible security system.

In a complex world that is changing rapidly, we must be self-sufficient and competitive, opening new horizons for Russia, as has happened many times in our history.

But it is important for us to remember its lessons, not to forget the tragic cost of internal turmoil and upheaval. Therefore, our state and socio-political system must be strong and absolutely resistant to any challenges and threats, ensure the progressivity and stability of development, unity and independence of the country.

At the same time, stability does not mean obliquity. Our state and social system should be flexible, create conditions for renewal and forward movement.

We see how the atmosphere in society has changed, how reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility, and courage are highly valued today. I will do my best to ensure that people who have shown their best human and professional qualities, who have proved their loyalty to the Fatherland by deeds, take leading positions in the state administration, in the economy – in all spheres.

We must ensure reliable continuity in the development of the country for decades to come, to raise and educate young generations who will strengthen the power of Russia, develop our statehood, which is based on interethnic harmony, preservation of traditions of all peoples living in Russia, a country-civilization united by the Russian language, and our multinational culture.

Dear friends!

I will do everything necessary, everything in my power to justify your trust, to use for this purpose all the powers of the head of state, which are enshrined in the Constitution. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that the results of this work depend crucially on our unity and cohesion, on the common desire to benefit the Fatherland, to protect it, to work with full dedication.

Today, in fact, we are answering to our thousand-year history and our ancestors. They took seemingly inaccessible heights, because they always put the Motherland first, they knew that it is possible to achieve truly great goals only together with their country and their people, creating a world power, our Fatherland, that achieved such triumphs that inspire us today.

We are confidently looking forward, planning our future, outlining and already implementing new projects and programs that are designed to make our development even more dynamic, even more powerful.

We are a united and great nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles and realize everything we have planned. Together we will win!