(Moscow) – Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russia’s president for a fourth term at a ceremony in the Kremlin, extending his almost two-decade rule by another six years.
“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, with his hand on the Russian constitution.
Putin, in power since 1999, was predictably re-elected in Russia’s March presidential election with 76.7 per cent of the vote.
“I strongly feel conscious of my colossal responsibility,” Putin said at the ceremony before thanking Russians for their “sincere support” and “cohesiveness”.