Vladimir Putin sworn in for fourth term as Russia president

Kremlin issues statement saying Dmitry Medvedev nominated for premiership

MOSCOW: Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russia’s president for a fourth term on Monday, extending his almost two-decade rule by another six years at a time of high tension with his Western rivals.

The 65-year-old, in power since 1999, is on course to become the longest-serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin after his victory in March’s elections.

Putin won nearly 77%of the vote in polls in which his most vocal opponent was banned from running.

He has promised to use his fourth term to revitalise the country’s economy. But he also faces a host of delicate international disputes.

“I consider it my duty and my life’s aim to do everything possible for Russia, for its present and for its future,” Putin said at Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, with his hand on the Russian constitution.

Several thousand guests lined the red carpet and filmed Putin on their smartphones as he arrived for the swearing-in ceremony in the ornate Andreyev Hall, part of the Kremlin palace complex.

The car that brought him to the inauguration was a black Russian-made limousine -- a change from previous ceremonies when he used a German Mercedes.

“I feel strongly conscious of my colossal responsibility,” he said, thanking Russians for their “sincere support” and “cohesiveness.”

“We have revived pride in our fatherland,” Putin said.

“As head of state I will do all I can to multiply the strength, prosperity and fame of Russia.”

Shortly after the ceremony, Putin asked Parliament to back a new mandate for outgoing prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, his long time ally.

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny called on Russians to protest across the country on Saturday under the slogan “Not our Tsar”. On Saturday nearly 1,600 protesters including Navalny were detained during nationwide rallies against Putin. Navalny has been released pending a court hearing.

The unrest revived memories of 2012, when authorities cracked down on rallies against Putin’s return to the Kremlin from the post of prime minister. Navalny was barred from challenging Putin in the March election over a fraud conviction that his supporters say is politically motivated.

Putin could revisit his 2008 move, which saw him put forward Dmitry Medvedev as president while he became prime minister before returning to the Kremlin four years later. However, Putin’s age makes this scenario problematic — he will turn 78 in 2030, the year he is constitutionally

allowed to run for another term

Putin could make way for a handpicked successor, something he has admitted he has been thinking of since 2000. But in making sure no one can compete with him, no politician is currently popular enough to succeed him, and many analysts say Putin will try to cling on to power in some way

The US says Russia interfered in its 2016 presidential election, an allegation Moscow denies Russia has provided the country billions of dollars, and Venezuela is Rosneft’s biggest crude oil supplier

Moscow has reportedly deployed forces to back Gen Khalifa Haftar, who controls the country’s oil-rich east

The Nato member’s defence cooperation with Russia is growing exponentially