On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin began his record fifth term, vowing to lead Russia to victory in a sea of trials.
When Putin was sworn in, he acknowledged that Russia was in a "difficult" period, a subtle hint at the West's ongoing sanctions in response to Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine, which has been going on for two years, according to British media on May 7.
The 71-year-old leader, who has held power in the country since the turn of the century, was given another six-year term in the March elections, in which the lack of opposition was louder than any campaign promises.
The ceremony, broadcast live across the country, was an elaborate display of Russian power and religious piety. During the ceremony, groups of armed guards and cavalry marched in costume, their uniforms glittering against the gray sky.
Subsequently. It was the Orthodox prayer liturgy led by Bishop Kirill, who bestowed God's blessings and historical analogies on Putin, comparing him to the legendary Alexander Nevsky, a symbol of Russia's resilience.
Speaking to the nation in the Kremlin's ornate St. Andrew's Hall, Putin called on the Russian people to be united, saying: "We are a united and strong country, and we will act in unison, overcome all obstacles, realize our destiny plan, and achieve victory in harmony." ”
Notably, the ceremony was boycotted by several European countries, including Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic, indicating the growing differences between Russia and the West over the Ukrainian crisis. This diplomatic snub highlights the growing international isolation that Russia faces in pursuing its strategic goals.
Putin's path to this unprecedented fifth term is fraught with controversy. His landslide electoral victory, which reportedly received 87 percent of the vote, was met with skepticism from international observers and outright rejection by opposition groups and human rights advocates, who denounced the election as a hoax.
The timing of the inauguration, which coincided with the celebration of Victory Day in Russia on May 9, added a layer of deep symbolism. Putin has deftly intertwined Russia's contemporary military operations in Ukraine with the heroic narrative of the Great Fatherland War, portraying the conflict as a continuation of the fight against fascism. The capital, Moscow, erects a barrier in preparation for inauguration ceremonies and commemorations, each of which carries its own history and controversy.
In addition, the dynamics within the Kremlin are under scrutiny. With the deaths of the head of the paramilitary sector, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and opposition figure Alexei Navalny, Russia seems to be more consolidated, but it is also not without its vulnerability.
Navalny's widow, Yulia, delivered a thought-provoking speech before the ceremony, accusing Putin of deception and warning that as long as he is in power, Russia will continue to be mired in conflict.
Looking ahead, Putin's fifth term is full of opportunities and dangers. In the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, there is no clear endgame, threatening Russia's geopolitical isolation. Economic overheating is a major concern, while rumors of a potential new round of mobilization have caused unease among the population, especially among the families of conscripted soldiers.
Rumor has it that Putin may use the inauguration to carry out a reshuffle of the government, as the cabinet must resign before the new presidential term, according to the regulations. Such a change could signal a strategic realignment in the face of multiple challenges for Russia, or it could be just a superficial reshuffle to strengthen its authority.