Photo copyright, Kremlin.ru
May 7, 2024
Russia does not give up dialogue with the West, Vladimir Putin said during his fifth inaugural speech in the Kremlin.
Presidential elections in Russia were held in March 2024. Ukraine them does not recognize and does not consider Putin a legitimate president. In fact, Putin has ruled Russia since 2000.
In his speech at the inauguration, he did not mention Ukraine, but spoke about the war, which the SVO continues to call. He thanked the residents of the historical lands for their support, apparently referring to the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, where the “voting” took place under the muzzles of machine guns.
After Putin’s statement about the start of nuclear exercises, there were expectations that he would mention nuclear weapons during the inauguration, but they did not come true. He called on the West to dialogue from the position of equals and promised to continue forming a “multipolar world”.
“We do not give up dialogue with Western countries. The choice is theirs: do they intend to continue trying to restrain the development of Russia, to continue the policy of aggression that has not stopped for years, to put pressure on our country, or to look for a way to cooperation and peace?” Putin said.
In his speech, he promised the Russians that they would overcome all difficulties together, preserve the traditions of all peoples living in Russia, “united by the Russian language.” Several times in his speech, he mentioned history and ancestors, who should inspire modern Russians.
He called Russia a world power and called to “remember the tragic cost of internal turmoil and upheavals”, probably referring to last year’s mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The inauguration in the Kremlin took place with salutes. The political elite of the country, Russian stars and actor Steven Seagal gathered in the Kremlin.
On this day, Russia again bombarded Ukraine.
In Sumy Oblast, one person was killed and four others were injured, among them children, due to Russian shelling. The Russians hit the village of Bilozerka in the Kherson region. A dozen private houses were damaged there, most of which were completely left without doors, windows and roofs. The Russian army struck Nikopol with artillery and a kamikaze drone, a woman was injured.
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“It would be difficult for Ukrainians to understand”
Putin’s 25-year rule was formally extended for another six years. The West condemned the elections in Russia as unfair and undemocratic.
Washington, London and the European Union boycotted the inauguration, although some EU states were expected to send representatives to Moscow, despite Ukraine’s request not to do so. In particular, it was reported that the French ambassador Pierre Levy will come to the ceremony.
The head of the EU foreign policy department, Josep Borrell, said that he was against the presence of Europeans at Putin’s inauguration.
“For me, the position was clear: it would be very difficult for Ukrainians and many people around the world to understand this, because we consider Putin, accused by the International Criminal Court, responsible for the war in Ukraine,” Borrell said.
“We deny these elections, because they were neither free nor fair. And at the same time, being present at the inauguration would be a clear contradiction.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on foreign countries, international organizations and the public not to recognize Vladimir Putin as the legitimate president of Russia.
Ruled since 2000
This is Putin’s fifth inauguration.
He has actually ruled Russia since 2000. First appointed interim president by his predecessor Boris Yeltsin, he won his first election in March 2000.
Between 2008 and 2012, he changed roles, becoming prime minister, but retained full control. At the time, the Russian constitution allowed only two consecutive terms as president, but the move gave him the opportunity to reset the term counter and run again.
In 2020, the constitution was changed and many expect President Putin to remain in power until 2036.
By that time, he will become the longest-reigning ruler of the country, surpassing Joseph Stalin and the 18th-century empress Catherine the Great – they were in power for more than 30 years.
