The ceremony, steeped in regal symbolism, took place in Moscow's Grand Kremlin Palace, where Putin was honored with grandeur reminiscent of a Russian tsar. Among the 2,500 guests were government officials and celebrities like
American actor Steven Seagal. Placing his hand on the Russian Constitution, Putin took the oath to defend it. Shortly after, he addressed international relations, particularly the strained dynamic between Russia and Western states.
"We do not reject dialogue with Western states," Putin declared, reiterating his call for talks on security and strategic stability. However, he stressed the conditions for such discussions: "But not from a position of strength, without arrogance or exclusivity, but only on equal terms, respecting each other's interests."
Putin's speech occurred amidst deep-seated tensions, notably following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which has led to the worst rupture in relations between Russia and the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis. His presidency has been characterized by a bolstering of Russia's military strength and assertiveness on the global stage, with the conflict in Ukraine exacerbating the divide.
Western perceptions of Putin have grown increasingly hostile, with U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly referring to him as a "crazy SOB" and regarding him as an autocrat and war criminal. Nonetheless, Putin vowed victory in Ukraine, emphasizing that all Russians were "accountable to our thousand-year history and our ancestors."
Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, interpreted Putin's speech as "an invitation to the West for equal cooperation" and a demonstration of Russia's determination to ensure its own development and security. "From one side, this is an invitation to the West for equal cooperation, and from the other side, it is the firm conviction that Russia will ensure its own development and security," Naryshkin stated.
If the West chooses not to engage in dialogue? "Then let them think," Naryshkin added with a smile.
Despite the call for dialogue, Putin ordered drills to practice the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons just a day before the inauguration, in response to what Moscow described as threats from France, Britain, and the United States.
The inauguration received a mixed international response, with major Western powers such as the United States, Britain, and most EU nations boycotting the event. The U.S. clarified that they would not send any representation to the swearing-in, criticizing the election as neither free nor fair but nevertheless acknowledging Putin as the president of Russia.
Notably, Putin's speech did not directly mention the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but it is evident that his new term is set against the backdrop of ongoing military operations and rising nuclear tensions, with Russia indicating it would practice the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in its military exercises.
Internally, Putin remains a symbol of stability for many Russians. Sergei Chemezov, a close ally, asserted that "Putin is stability for Russia rather than some sort of new person." This sentiment of internal consolidation was echoed by Sergei Kiriyenko, Putin's first deputy chief of staff, who hailed the election as unprecedented in Russian history.