“I swear to respect the Constitution of the Russian Federation,” Putin said. Just after 12 noon Moscow time, he took his presidential oath on Tuesday. With his right hand on a red, bound edition of the constitution, which he had rewritten in 2020 to make this ceremony possible. The book, together with the chain of office, was solemnly marched to the lectern by members of the presidential guard.
More than 2,500 guests lined up along the red carpet that led through three impressive halls. Notable attendees included American actor Steven Seagal and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who has recently been the subject of rumors about his health. The support for Putin is undeniable, the image seemed to say. And Putin, who nonchalantly went through all official proceedings, is doing well. If he manages to complete his fifth six-year term, he will have led Russia longer than Josef Stalin (1924-1953).
It was discussed on Russian state television that it was disappointing that most Western states were absent. Both the US and many European countries had not sent an envoy to the inauguration. Only six EU countries, including Hungary, Slovakia and France, were present. Russia would actually be looking for dialogue, several attendees stated on Russian state television prior to the ceremony.
Years of pressure
In search of the Kremlin definition of dialogue, it is advisable to read between the lines. Putin outlined the choice of the Western allies as follows: “Do they intend to limit Russia’s development and continue the policy of aggression with their years of pressure on our country, or do they want to look for cooperation and peace?” A guideline that can be translated as: don’t stand in our way.
This guidance was also supported by strong threats. Less than twenty-four hours earlier, Russia announced that it would train for the use of tactical nuclear weapons – short and medium-range nuclear weapons. The air force and navy are participating in the military exercise.
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Russia regularly checks the readiness of its nuclear weapons, but it is rare for Russia to announce such an exercise in advance. The Kremlin has repeatedly said that Russia is prepared to use nuclear weapons. After stationing nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus, it is yet another way for the Kremlin to demonstrate that Russia is prepared not to shy away from nuclear weapons if it is thwarted.
The exercise is taking place on behalf of Putin. According to Moscow, the practice of the nuclear protocols is a response to “the provocative statements and threats of various Western dignitaries.”
This includes French President Emmanuel Macron, who has suggested that Europe could send soldiers to Ukraine to help defend the country. And British Minister David Cameron, who has said that Ukraine has the right to use weapons supplied by London on military targets on Russian territory.
Opposition
Russia has become increasingly repressive under Putin’s last term. Most opposition figures, human rights defenders and journalists are either abroad or in jail. Some did use the day to express their disgust. “The moth flew to its fifth term,” Ivan Zhdanov of the Russian anti-corruption fund FBK, founded by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, wrote on social media. “I hope it lasts short and is the last.”
“In each of his terms, everything only gets worse, and it is terrifying to think what else will happen,” Yulia Navalnaya said in a video statement. “For me personally, the last six years of Putin were the years in which my husband Alexei Navalny, an honest and courageous man, a true patriot, was persecuted and poisoned with a chemical weapon, convicted, tortured in prison for three years and then murdered. Putin did that too.”
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Navalnaya has become the face of his opposition collective after her husband’s death. His anti-corruption fund FBK exposed corruption practices in the highest echelons of power for years. The day after Navalny was arrested upon returning to Russia, it published a video showing the floor plan and plans for a private palace for Putin, “Russia’s biggest bribe.”
House church
This Tuesday, the independent medium Project revealed that the construction plans have since been adjusted. In a publication with 3D visualizations and maps, they show that where a club with a strip pole and a casino were previously depicted, a ‘house church’ has now been set up, among other things. Putin “is not the same person as he was in recent years,” the journalists conclude. “Previously he was interested in worldly entertainment such as striptease, casinos and gaming rooms. Now he surrounds himself with icons and paintings of death.”
Referring to the unfree and, in all likelihood, heavily influenced elections, Ukraine, among others, is lobbying to consider Putin’s presidency as illegitimate. “Ukraine sees no legal basis for recognizing him as the democratically elected and legitimate President of the Russian Federation,” said a statement from the Ministry of Defense. “We call on foreign countries, international organizations and the public to follow this example.”
The Netherlands is not currently considering joining this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said when asked. Only a state as a whole can be recognized or not, the spokesperson says, and not individual government leaders. The ministry states that contact with the Russian government is currently very limited.
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