Politics International

Posted by admin on 2024-05-14 |

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President Vladimir Putin took his oath for another six-year term on Tuesday during a ceremony at the Kremlin.

Notably, the event was shunned by the United States and other Western nations. During his inauguration, Putin expressed potential openness to nuclear discussions with the West.

Putin's Political Landscape

Putin, in power as president or prime minister since 1999, begins his new mandate more than two years after he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, where Russian forces have regained the initiative after a series of reversals and are seeking to advance further in the east.

At the age of 71, Putin remains a dominant figure in domestic politics. Internationally, he's engaged in a standoff with Western nations, whom he accuses of using Ukraine to undermine Russia.

“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,” Putin said.

Presidential Election

Putin in March won a landslide victory in a tightly controlled election from which two anti-war candidates were barred on technical grounds.

His most prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny, passed away unexpectedly in an Arctic penal colony a month prior. Other prominent critics are either imprisoned or forced into exile.

Reaction to Putin’s Inauguration

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 said it would send its ambassador.

Stability amid Criticism

Sergei Chemezov, a close ally of Putin, emphasized the stability the president brings, a sentiment he believes even critics should acknowledge.

“For Russia, this is the continuation of our path, this is stability – you can ask any citizen on the street,” Chemezov said.

The extent to which Putin will escalate the conflict in Ukraine remains uncertain. This decision could be influenced by the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November.

In line with the constitution, the government of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin resigned at the start of the new presidential term. Putin will appoint a new one which is expected to include many of the same faces.