VLADIMIR PUTIN was sworn in for another term as the president of the Russian Federation today in a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow.

About 2,600 guests saw Mr Putin take the oath of office for his fifth term as Russia’s president, although the United States and a number of other European Union nations boycotted the ceremony because of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, and their contention that March’s election was not free.

Mr Putin will hold the office for the next six years after securing 87 per cent of the vote.

In his inauguration speech Mr Putin said: “Russia does not refuse dialogue with Western countries: the choice is theirs. A conversation on security issues, strategic stability is possible, not from a position of weakness but only on equal terms.”

He said that “we will determine the fate of Russia by ourselves and only ourselves, for the sake of today’s and future generations,” and that the security of the people of Russia was his aim.

He said the creation of a multipolar world was also a priority.

“Together with our partners in Eurasian integration and other sovereign development centres we will continue to work to form a multipolar world order, an equal and indivisible security system,” he said. 

On the domestic front Mr Putin pledged to implement long-term development projects.

He said: “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.”