Putin Takes Office as President of Russia
©Sputnik/Sergey Bobylev/Go to the mediabank
The Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow is hosting a solemn ceremony where Vladimir Putin is being sworn in as Russia's incumbent leader.
Vladimir Putin has been sworn in as President of the Russian Federation.
The tradition of holding the official inauguration ceremony on May 7 at the Kremlin dates back to 2000. In 2024, the tradition continued, with the presence of numerous prominent Russian officials, judges, and parliament members in attendance.
The procedure of inaugurating Russia's new elected president is held in strict accordance with the law "On the election of the President of the Russian Federation", and is carried out at the close of six years after the national leader's predecessor assumed office.
The ceremony started with the ceremonial introduction of the Russian national flag, the standard of the president, the Russian Constitution and the insignia of the Russian president into the St. Andrew's Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
In total, about 2,600 people have been invited to the ceremony, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
"Russia does not refuse dialogue with Western countries, the choice is theirs", Putin said.
Vladimir Putin assured that the interests of the security of the people of Russia will be above all else for him. "We will determine the fate of Russia by ourselves and only ourselves, for the sake of today's and future generations," the president noted.
"A conversation on security issues, strategic stability is possible, but not from a position of strength, but only on equal terms", Putin stated.
Putin: Russia will continue to work with partners to form a multipolar world order
"Together with our partners in Eurasian integration and other sovereign development centers, we will continue to work to form a multipolar world order, equal and indivisible security system," Putin said at the ceremony.
The president underlined that Russia's state system must be flexible and allow for forward movement. "It is necessary to ensure reliable continuity of the country's development for decades to come," he noted.
Russia has to answer to thousands of years of history and ancestors who took inaccessible heights, Putin said.
Putin: Russia will go through this difficult period with dignity and become even stronger.
"I am confident that we will pass through this entire difficult, milestone period with dignity, become even stronger and will definitely implement long-term plans and large-scale projects aimed at achieving development goals," he said.
President Putin assured that national security would remain the top priority of his new six-year term.
"I assure you that national security and interests would remain the top priority, going forward," Putin said.
The president also promised to implement long-term development projects.
"I am certain that we will go through this difficult threshold period with dignity and that we will definitely implement long-term development plans and projects, which aim primarily to protect the people," he added.
The president highlighted the importance of ensuring reliable continuity in the country's development.
"We must ensure reliable continuity in the development of the country for decades to come, raise and educate young generations who will strengthen the power of Russia, develop our statehood, which is based on interethnic harmony, preserving the traditions of all peoples living in Russia," he noted.
Vladimir Putin noted that his government had never turned down an offer of dialogue from the West despite its efforts to contain Russia’s development.
"We have always been open to the prospect of deepening friendly relations with all countries that see Russia as a reliable and honest partner. They are the global majority. We do not refuse to have a dialogue with Western countries. The choice is theirs," Putin said.
"Will they continue trying to contain Russia’s development and insisting on their policy of aggression, their years-long pressure on our country or will they look for opportunities for cooperation and peace?" the president added.
Commenting on the Russia-West dialogue on security and strategic stability, the leader noted that it is possible only on equal terms.
"A conversation [between Western countries and Russia], including on issues of security and strategic stability, is possible, but not from a position of force, without any arrogance, conceit and personal exclusivity, but only on equal terms, respecting each other’s interests," Putin said.
Russia looks forward with confidence, plans its future, outlines new projects and programs, Putin added.
"We look forward with confidence, plan our future, outline and are already implementing new projects and programs that are designed to make our development even more dynamic, even more powerful," he stressed.
Vladimir Putin vowed he would do everything in his power to justify voters’ trust but stressed that the outcome of his new six-year term depended on national unity.
"I stress that results of this work primarily depend on our unity, our overall ambition to be of benefit to our Fatherland, to protect it and to work as hard as we can," the president said.
Putin: We are a united and great people; together, we will win!
After the inauguration ceremony, the president took part in the parade of the Presidential Regiment.
Following the inauguration and parade of the Presidential Regiment, Putin attended a thanksgiving prayer service in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin, which was conducted by Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill.
Patriarch Kirill presented Putin with an icon of the Virgin Mary as a blessing for his new presidential term.
"We are sincerely praying for you," Russia's Patriarch Kirill blessed the president after the thanksgiving prayer.
Russian Government Resigns Following Putin's Inauguration
President Vladimir Putin met with members of the government on Monday on the eve of his inauguration ceremony Tuesday, summing up the results of their work. Mikhail Mishustin has served as Russia's prime minister since January 2020.
©Sputnik/Dmirty Astakhov/Go to the mediabank
Russia's government formally resigned on Tuesday in accordance with the established constitutional procedure for forming a new government after Vladimir Putin's inauguration for another term as president.
Tuesday's constitutionally mandated government resignation is the 18th to date since 1990, with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin serving as Russia's head of government for over four years, and entering the history books as the 13th prime minister in modern Russian history. His prime ministership has been marked by efforts to deal with a series of global crises, from the COVID-19 global public health emergency of 2020-2023 to the 2022-present attempts by Western powers, led by the United States, to collapse the Russian economy.
In his meeting with members of the government on Monday, Putin thanked Mishustin for his "professionalism...dedication to the cause and interests of Russia, (and his) understanding of [his] enormous responsibility to the people, responsibility for literally every step, for every word and decision made."
Mishustin said he and members of his government "tried very hard not to let [Putin] and the citizens of our country down," and said they were "very proud to be part of (Putin's) team."
Russia's basic law calls for the resignation of the government in an array of circumstances, including the inauguration of a new head of state, a voluntary decision to do so by its members, at the initiative of the president, as a result of the resignation of the prime minister, or in connection with a vote of no confidence in the Duma (lower house of parliament).
Duma Committee on Constitutional Legislation Chairman Andrey Klishas said late last month that the Russian parliament may consider the candidacy of a new prime minister as early as Wednesday if Putin "sees fit." On Sunday, Russian business media reported, citing a source, that the Duma may confirm the prime minister on May 10, and vote to approve deputy prime ministers at a plenary session on May 13, as well as ministers on May 14.
How is the Russian Government Formed?
The executive power in Russia is exercised by the government under the general direction of the president. The Russian government includes the prime minister (chairman of the government), deputy prime ministers, and federal ministers. It oversees all federal executive bodies, except for those directly managed by the president.
To qualify for top government positions such as prime minister, deputy prime minister, or federal minister, one must be a Russian citizen, at least 30 years old, and not hold citizenship or permanent residency in another country. Additionally, high-ranking officials are prohibited from holding foreign bank accounts or storing valuables abroad.
The process of forming a government is defined by the Russian Constitution and the federal law "On the Government of the Russian Federation." The prime minister is appointed by the president following approval from the State Duma. If the proposed candidate is rejected by the Duma, the president can submit a new candidate or re-nominate the previous one. After three rejections, the president can appoint the prime minister without Duma approval, and may also dissolve the Duma and call for new elections if needed.
Once appointed, the prime minister proposes the structure of the federal executive bodies to the president, unless the outgoing prime minister was dismissed by the president. The prime minister also submits the nominations for deputy prime ministers and federal ministers (except those appointed directly by the president) to the State Duma for approval. If after three attempts the nominations are not approved and one-third of the government positions remain vacant, the president has the authority to dissolve the Duma.
Climbing the 'Escalation Ladder': French, British Threats Provoke Russian Warning
Moscow responded aggressively to claims that Kiev may use British weapons to strike within Russia, claiming such an attack would force the country to target UK military installations in Ukraine and beyond.
©Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Go to the mediabank
“While defending our own vital interests, nuclear powers must avert those confrontations which bring an adversary to a choice of either a humiliating retreat or a nuclear war,” said former US President John F. Kennedy during an address at American University in 1963.
The remark, coming a few months after the previous year’s Cuban Missile Crisis, demonstrated Kennedy’s newfound sense of restraint in navigating Cold War tensions.
The confrontation with the Soviet Union brought the world to the brink of nuclear war with both Washington and Moscow poised to save face by unleashing the deadliest weapons ever conceived by mankind.
A repeat of the scenario must be avoided, Kennedy reasoned, with each world power tacitly accepting the other’s existence.
Half a century later the slain leader’s realization has been forgotten, claimed former CIA analyst Ray McGovern on Sputnik’s The Critical hour program Monday. The founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity joined hosts Garland Nixon and Wilmer Leon to discuss the latest developments in NATO countries’ proxy war against Russia in the Donbass.
“Things are getting pretty intense and the Russians are pretty much saying, ‘okay, that's enough,’” said McGovern, responding to the latest statement from Russian government officials. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron was quoted by media saying Ukraine could use UK-supplied weapons to strike within Russian territory during a visit to Kiev last week.
The comment provoked a strong response from Moscow suggesting Russia could target British military assets in Ukraine or elsewhere in response to such an attack on its territory.
“We have those reports that (French President Emmanuel) Macron is crazy enough to want to send French troops into battle there in Ukraine, and… the Russians actually have claimed to have killed seven of them this morning,” McGovern added.
“Friends vacationing in Cyprus or other military facilities run by the British, I would tell them to go and sun themselves on some other beach,” he said. “The Russians are speaking pretty tough – tougher than ever before. If one of these British long-range missiles does significant damage in Russia proper there will be retaliation. It will be tit-for-tat, and the Russians will be perspicacious, but they'll be offensive. These will not be defensive measures.”
McGovern claimed Russia’s response could even be nuclear in nature, noting, “the Russians are waving the nuclear possibility as never before. I can say ‘never’ because I've been around a while – would you believe six decades of watching Soviet and then Russian leaders? They don't brandish nuclear weapons. Now they are.”
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced Monday they were commencing exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons, suggesting the country could use such armaments if Western nations enable strikes within the country.
“The exercise is aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in order to unconditionally ensure Russia's territorial integrity and sovereignty in response to provocative statements and threats from Western officials,” read the statement.
Russia also possesses hypersonic weapons able to evade traditional defensive systems – a technology not yet developed by any of its Western rivals. McGovern noted the armaments could be equipped with nuclear warheads, but only if Russia is significantly provoked.
The stance has predictably caused the US and allies to accuse Moscow of “nuclear saber rattling.” But McGovern claimed the threat is a response to an unprecedented deterioration of relations between Russia and the West, noting recent analysis by Russian historian Dmitri Trenin.
“Russia has experienced an existential threat,” said McGovern. “At all times during the Cold War the notion of inflicting a strategic military defeat on either one was verboten. In other words, when John F. Kennedy said in his wonderful American University speech in '63 we must never, never face a nuclear armed country with a humiliating choice between abject retreat or using nuclear weapons – well, that was honored.”
“But now the US is doing this by proxy,” he observed. “That's new… We need to rethink this whole thing because this is an existential threat.”
The former intelligence analyst warned of the potential consequences if Russia continues to feel it is provoked.
“That's the next rung up on the escalation ladder,” he claimed. “I'm afraid that if the French and the British and US don't come to their senses and if Zelensky appeals for NATO troops on the ground that there'll be enough pressure on the part of NATO countries – some of them at least – to comply.”
“In every other statement Putin says ‘we're ready to talk,’” McGovern claimed. “Now, what does he mean by that? I think he's ready to say, ‘look, you have to recognize that we've won hands down. We could do that before your election in November, Mr. President… or we could postpone it so you don't have to be subject to a great defeat before the election.”
“These threats about nuclear, tactical weapons being mounted for exercises – well, that may be part of this tough approach. But it still worries me greatly because the Russians don't usually do that.”
