Photo: kremlin.ru
7 May 2024 12:45 Moscow, Kremlin
The ceremony began with the presentation of the Russian state flag, the presidential standard, the Russian Constitution and the badge of the President of Russia in the Andreyev Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
In accordance with Article 82 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin took the oath of office to the Russian people in the presence of members of the Federation Council, members of the State Duma and judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. The President of the Constitutional Court, Valery Zorkin, announced Vladimir Putin's accession to the office of President of the Russian Federation.
The inauguration of Vladimir Putin as Russian President. Ceremonial handover of the Russian state flag and presidential standards. Photo: Alexander Kazakov, RIA Novosti
Later, the Presidential Regiment was handed over to Vladimir Putin, President of Russia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of his assumption of office in Cathedral Square. The Head of State congratulated the regiment on the 88th anniversary of its foundation.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated a thanksgiving service in the Kremlin's Church of the Annunciation.
Speech by Vladimir Putin at the inauguration of the President of Russia
Dear citizens of Russia! Ladies and gentlemen! Dear friends!
In these solemn and responsible moments of assuming the presidency, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Russia in all regions of our country, to the inhabitants of our historic lands who have defended their right to be together with their homeland.
I want to pay tribute to our heroes, to the participants of the special military operation, to all those who fight for the country.
Thank you once again for the trust and support you have given me, and now I turn to every citizen of Russia.
I just said the words to the presidential oath. Its text encapsulates the essence of the highest goal of the head of state - to protect Russia and serve our people.
I understand that it is a great honor, a commitment and a sacred duty. This is what has determined the meaning and content of my work in previous years. I assure you that I will continue to put the interests and security of the Russian people above everything else.
The consolidated will of millions of people is a colossal force, a proof of our common firm conviction that we alone will determine the fate of Russia in the interests of present and future generations.
You, the citizens of Russia, have confirmed the right direction for the country. This is of great importance right now, when we are facing serious challenges. I see in this a deep understanding of our common historical goals and a determination to unwaveringly defend our choice, our values, freedom and Russia's national interests.
I am confident that we will come through this difficult, transformative period with dignity, become even stronger and resolutely implement long-term plans and large-scale projects aimed at achieving development goals.
And this is first and foremost a people's inquiry. I am sure that the promotion of centuries-old family values and traditions will continue to unite public and religious associations, political parties, and all levels of government.
Our decisions on the development of the country and the regions must be effective and fair and must improve the well-being and quality of life of Russian families.
We have been and will be open to strengthening good relations with all countries that consider Russia a reliable and honest partner. And there is indeed a majority of such in the world.
We do not reject dialogue with Western countries. The choice is theirs: whether they intend to continue to try to hinder Russia's development, whether they will pursue a policy of aggression and constant pressure on our country for years, or whether they will seek a path towards cooperation and peace.
I repeat: a conversation, including on issues of security and strategic stability, is possible. But not from a position of strength, without any arrogance, haughtiness or exceptionalism, but only on an equal footing, respecting each other's interests.
Together with our partners in Eurasian integration and other sovereign centres of development, we will continue to work towards a multipolar world order and an equal and indivisible security system.
In a complex world that is changing rapidly, we must be self-sufficient and competitive and open up new horizons for Russia, as has happened many times in our history.
But it is important that we remember its lessons and not forget the tragic cost of inner turmoil and upheaval. Therefore, our state and socio-political system must be strong and absolutely resilient to any challenges and threats, ensuring the progressiveness and stability of development, unity and independence of the country.
At the same time, stability does not mean sycophancy. Our state and social system must be flexible, creating the conditions for renewal and forward movement.
We see how the atmosphere in society has changed, how reliability, mutual responsibility, honesty, decency, nobility and courage are highly valued today. I will do everything I can to ensure that people who have demonstrated the best human and professional qualities, who have shown loyalty to the country through their actions, take up leading positions in the state administration, in the economy - in all spheres.
We must ensure a reliable continuity of the country's development for the next decades, educate and train young generations that will strengthen Russia's power, develop our statehood, which is based on inter-ethnic harmony, preserving the traditions of all peoples living in Russia, a country-civilization united by the Russian language and our multi-ethnic culture.
Dear friends!
I will do everything necessary, everything in my power, to justify your trust, to use all the powers of the Head of State, which are enshrined in the Constitution, for this purpose. At the same time, I would like to emphasise that the results of this work depend decisively on our unity and cohesion, on our common desire to benefit our country, to protect it, to work with full commitment.
Today we are actually responding to our millennia of history and our ancestors. They conquered seemingly inaccessible heights because they always put their homeland first, knew that only together with their country and their people could truly great goals be achieved, and created a world power, our homeland, and achieved the kind of triumphs that inspire us today.
We are confidently looking ahead, planning our future, outlining and already implementing new projects and programmes to make our development even more dynamic, even more powerful.
We are a united and great nation and together we will overcome all obstacles and accomplish all that we have planned. Together we will win!
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