In Photos: Putin Inaugurated as President for Fifth Term
Vladimir Putin was sworn in as President of Russia for a fifth term in a lavish inauguration ceremony Tuesday, which included a military procession, columns of armed guards, and a cavalry parade, as well as an Orthodox prayer service.
Putin took the oath of office in the Kremlin’s gilded Saint Andrew’s Hall, where he was greeted by Russian officials and military brass.
While Putin was constitutionally mandated to step down in 2024, changes made to Russia’s Constitution in 2020 “reset” his presidential term limits, thus allowing him to stay in power until 2030.
In March, the longtime Kremlin chief secured a six-year term after winning an election marred by widespread reports of fraud and where no real opposition was given the chance to run.
Putin took the oath of office in the Kremlin’s gilded Saint Andrew’s Hall, where he was greeted by Russian officials and military brass.
While Putin was constitutionally mandated to step down in 2024, changes made to Russia’s Constitution in 2020 “reset” his presidential term limits, thus allowing him to stay in power until 2030.
In March, the longtime Kremlin chief secured a six-year term after winning an election marred by widespread reports of fraud and where no real opposition was given the chance to run.
Vladimir Putin heads off to his inauguration ceremony.
kremlin.ru
Soldiers of the Presidential Regiment carry a copy of the Russian Constitution and the presidential badge for the inauguration ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Alexander Kazakov, RIA Novosti / kremlin.ru
Vladimir Putin walks down the red carpet ahead of Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony.
Mikhail Metzel, TASS / kremlin.ru
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Patriarch Kirill seen before Putin’s inauguration.
Alexander Kazakov, RIA Novosti / kremlin.ru
Vladimir Putin.
Sergei Bobylev, RIA Novosti / kremlin.ru
Vladimir Putin.
Alexei Maishev, Rossiya Segodnya / kremlin.ru
Soldiers of the Presidential Regiment at Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony.
Alexander Kazakov, RIA Novosti / kremlin.ru
Russian Vladimir Putin seen taking the oath of office.
Alexander Kazakov, RIA Novosti / kremlin.ru
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko and State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin seen at Putin’s inauguration ceremony.
Alexander Kazakov, RIA Novosti / kremlin.ru
Vladimir Putin with Russian Constitutional Court Chairman Valery Zorkin, who led the swearing-in ceremony.
Alexander Kazakov, RIA Novosti / kremlin.ru
Tuesday’s lavish ceremony, which started at noon local time, took place in the Grand Kremlin Palace, where hundreds of guests — including Russian government officials, members of parliament, celebrities, and business figures — were in attendance.
Alexander Kazakov, RIA Novosti / kremlin.ru
Shortly after Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony, Putin attended a prayer service led by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, who blessed the president.
Alexei Maishev, Rossiya Segodnya / kremlin.ru
“God himself has entrusted you with serving Russia,” Patriarch Kirill told Putin during the service.
Alexei Maishev, Rossiya Segodnya / kremlin.ru
Patriarch Kirill also compared Putin to Alexander Nevsky, the medieval ruler of Novgorod, adding that he was praying for the president to remain in power “until the end of the century.”
Alexei Maishev, Rossiya Segodnya / kremlin.ru
