May 7, (THEWILL)- Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has been sworn into office for the fifth term.
The 71-year-old has ruled Russia since the turn of the century, securing a fresh six-year mandate in March, after winning presidential elections devoid of all opposition.
Addressing Russia’s political elite after being sworn in at a lavish ceremony in Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin said, “We are a united and great people and together we will overcome all obstacles, we will bring to life everything we have planned. Together, we will be victorious.”
The United States, which said it did not consider his re-election free and fair, stayed away from Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony. Britain, Canada and most European Union nations also decided to boycott the swearing-in, but France had said it would send its ambassador.
