Putin begins fifth term as president with firm control over Russia.

Putin commences fifth term as president with Russia under firm control.

In March, Putin won Russia's controlled election by a large majority, guaranteeing him a sixth consecutive term as president until he's 77 years old.

The opposition was essentially non-existent, with many candidates either deceased, imprisoned, banished, or denied permission to run. With dissent essentially prohibited in Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Putin faced no real challengers.

The inauguration ceremony, held Tuesday in the Kremlin, was attended by Russia's top military and political figures, but the United States and several European nations declined to send a representative, condemning the elections as a sham.

Matthew Miller, US State Department spokesperson, stated that while the US didn't consider the election to be free or fair, Putin would continue to serve as president of Russia.

Putin's first inauguration in 2000 was hailed as the first transfer of power in Russia through an electoral process. He said his election represented the nation becoming a modern democratic state.

Twenty-four years later, with Putin ruling as either president or prime minister, and amending the constitution to abolish term limits and expand each term from four years to six, he received 53% of the vote in the 2000 presidential election, which the US Embassy in Moscow considered "reasonably" free and fair.

In contrast, Putin secured 87% in the most recent election, a figure the US called "farcical."

Following his re-election, Putin stood alongside the three challengers who were allowed to run against him at a ceremony in Moscow, all appearing to confirm the illusion of competition by singing Russia's national anthem together.

In a terse speech, Putin discussed the choice of dialogue with Western countries—whether it would be characterized by aggression or peace, acknowledging that the decision belonged to those countries.

The audience included Russian-controlled leaders of four occupied regions of Ukraine, which Russia had annexed in 2022.

Attendees wait in the Kremlin as Putin arrives for his inauguration ceremony.

Overseas, Russia has tried to exploit its troop and ammunition supremacy in Ukraine, attempting to consolidate gains before the incoming US military aid support reaches Kyiv.

Putin has undertaken initiatives to isolate Russians from the war's impacts, by acquiring soldiers from restricted Russian regions and keeping urban centers stocked with supplies despite Western sanctions.

However, pockets of dissent have surfaced. Navalny, Putin's most formidable political foe, died before the latest election. Prigozhin, Wagner's former chief, tried to challenge Putin's rule by inciting his forces to march on Moscow and demand Putin's resignation, but retracted the order within 24 hours. Prigozhin was later reported dead in a plane crash, with the Kremlin denying involvement.

The invasion transformed global power dynamics, prompting the West to consider Russia a pariah state after years of more cordial relations.

Despite this, Russia sought to cultivate new alliances with nations in the "Global South," providing grain to African nations after attempting to choke off Ukraine's agricultural exports.

To ensure continued drone and missile supplies, Russia forged deeper partnerships with Iran and North Korea.

Putin affirmed his desire for positive relations with all countries who viewed Russia as a dependable and trustworthy ally. "We have been and will continue to be open to deepening good relations with all nations that see Russia as a reliable and honest partner. And that is truly the global majority."

Once sworn in, Putin will attend a parade of the Presidential Regiment in Cathedral Square, a prestigious military unit housed within the Kremlin. The event will showcase state media coverage of the ceremonial activities during the inauguration. The Regiment is Russia's most illustrious elite military unit, and the Presidential Regiment's personnel handle various responsibilities at the event.