Putin vows to boost Russian economy as he begins 4th term
Putin vows to boost Russian economy as he begins 4th term
Vladimir Putin speaks with his hand on the Constitution during his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Yekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin speaks with his hand on the Constitution during his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Yekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin speaks with his hand on the Constitution during his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Yekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a service held by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Krill, right, in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a service held by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Krill, right, in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin, center, speaks during his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president, with Constitutional Court Chairman Valery Zorkin, left, and Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the Federation Council, Russian parliament’s upper chamber, right, next to him in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
Vladimir Putin, center, speaks during his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president, with Constitutional Court Chairman Valery Zorkin, left, and Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the Federation Council, Russian parliament’s upper chamber, right, next to him in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
Vladimir Putin enters to take the oath during his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s new president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday, promising to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
Vladimir Putin enters to take the oath during his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s new president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday, promising to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
Vladimir Putin walks after his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin walks after his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin sits in his Kremlin cabinet prior his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin sits in his Kremlin cabinet prior his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin sits in his Kremlin cabinet prior his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin sits in his Kremlin cabinet prior his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Honour guard soldiers carry the Constitution prior to Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (Mikhail Mokrushin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Honour guard soldiers carry the Constitution prior to Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (Mikhail Mokrushin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin enters to take the oath during his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (Sergei Bobylyov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin enters to take the oath during his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (Sergei Bobylyov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
People take photos as Vladimir Putin walks into the hall for his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
People take photos as Vladimir Putin walks into the hall for his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin walks during his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin walks during his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin looks at a parade of the Presidential regiment, after his presidential inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin looks at a parade of the Presidential regiment, after his presidential inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin shakes hands with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder during his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin shakes hands with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder during his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin speaks during his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s new president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin speaks during his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s new president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin speaks with his hand on the Constitution during his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin speaks with his hand on the Constitution during his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin is applauded as he walks into the hall for his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin is applauded as he walks into the hall for his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, 3rd left, and Russian Prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, right, attend an inauguration ceremony of Vladimir Putin as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, 3rd left, and Russian Prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, right, attend an inauguration ceremony of Vladimir Putin as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin greets soldiers of the Presidential regiment during his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Yekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin greets soldiers of the Presidential regiment during his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Yekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin crosses himself during a service in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin crosses himself during a service in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin walks to take the oath during his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
Vladimir Putin walks to take the oath during his inauguration ceremony as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a service held by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Krill, right, in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a service held by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Krill, right, in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin walks after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin walks after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin walks after his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin walks after his inauguration ceremony as new Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a service held by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Krill in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a service held by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Krill in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a service held by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Krill, left, in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a service held by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Krill, left, in the Annunciation Cathedral after the inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin looks at the parade of the Presidential regiment after his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Dmitry Azarov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin looks at the parade of the Presidential regiment after his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Dmitry Azarov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin looks at the parade of the Presidential regiment after his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin looks at the parade of the Presidential regiment after his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Constitutional Court Chairman Valery Zorkin during his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace, Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexander Astafyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Constitutional Court Chairman Valery Zorkin during his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace, Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Alexander Astafyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
A Honour guard soldier carries the Constitution prior to Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
A Honour guard soldier carries the Constitution prior to Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin won the six-year term in March elections where he tallied 77 percent of the vote. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
Vladimir Putin looks on during his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Vladimir Putin looks on during his inauguration ceremony for a new term as Russia’s president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as Russian president on Monday and promised to pursue an economic agenda that would boost living standards across the country. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
MOSCOW (AP) — Vladimir Putin on Monday launched his fourth term as president with an ambitious call to vault Russia into the top five global economies by developing its technological products and agricultural exports.
Putin, who has sought to restore Russia’s military and diplomatic prominence on the world stage, focused almost entirely on domestic issues in his speech after taking the oath of office in a vast, vaulted Kremlin hall glittering with gold leaf.
Improving the economy following a recession partly linked to international sanctions will be a primary goal of his next six-year term, Putin said.
“Russia should be modern and dynamic, it should be ready to accept the call of the times,” he said in his inauguration speech to thousands of guests standing in three halls of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Putin later issued an extensive decree calling for “acceleration of the technological development of the Russian Federation” and “creation of a high-performance export-oriented sector in the basic sectors of the economy, primarily in manufacturing and the agro-industrial sector.”
The 65-year-old former KGB agent, who has led Russia for all of the 21st century either as president or prime minister, has been criticized for inadequate efforts to diversify the economy from its dependence on oil and gas exports or develop the manufacturing sector.
Russia’s economy was hit hard by low world oil prices and sanctions connected to Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and military involvement in the separatist uprising in eastern Ukraine, with the ruble losing half its value between 2014 and 2016.
The country recorded an anemic improvement in 2017, with gross domestic product rising 1.5 percent and the ruble recovering some of its value. But the currency dropped about 8 percent again last month after new U.S. sanctions.
In the decree, he foresaw Russia becoming one of the world’s top five economies by the end of his term in 2024. That would require boosting GDP by some 50 percent; Russia currently places about 12th in rankings of world economies.
Putin made only a brief reference to global affairs in his speech, saying “Russia is a strong, active, influential participant in international life. The security and defense capability of the country is reliably ensured. We will give these matters the necessary constant attention.”
He acknowledged that the challenges facing Russia were formidable “but we all remember well that, for more than 1,000 years of history, Russia has often faced epochs of turmoil and trials, and has always revived as a Phoenix, reached heights that others could not.”
Putin was re-elected in March with 77 percent of the vote.
He became acting president on New Year’s Eve 1999 following the surprise resignation of Boris Yeltsin and won election to his first four-year term in 2000. Re-elected in 2004, he left office in 2008 because of term limits, but was named prime minister and continued to steer the country from that office. He returned as president in 2012 when the post was extended to six years.
Monday’s pomp-filled inauguration was covered in assiduous detail on state television. It showed Putin working at his desk in his shirt sleeves, then donning a suit coat to begin a long, solitary walk through the corridors of the Kremlin’s Senate building before boarding a limousine for a short drive to the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Thousands of guests stood in the three halls for the inauguration. One of the most prominent was former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who is now chairman of Russia’s state oil company Rosneft and one of the most prominent Western voices arguing for an end to sanctions against Russia.
Schroeder stood with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and Putin prominently shook hands with him after the speech.
After the ceremony, Putin issued an order formally dissolving the Cabinet but nominated Medvedev to serve again as prime minister. The pro-Putin United Russia party that dominates the parliament said it would back Medvedev in a vote Tuesday, Russian news agencies reported.
Medvedev in turn made nominations for several deputy prime ministers, notably including Finance Minister Anton Siluanov as first deputy premier.