The West largely boycotts Putin’s inauguration due to war
On March 20, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his close campaign friends at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.
Yevgenia Novozhenina | Reuters
Western countries are boycotting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration on Tuesday, with the United States, Canada and Britain refusing to send officials to the inauguration in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Putin will remain in power for another six years after winning an election in March with about 87% of the vote, but Western countries said the vote was neither free nor fair. The inauguration comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its 27th month.
“We will not be sending representatives to his inauguration,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Monday.
“We certainly don’t believe these elections were free and fair, but he is the president of Russia and he will continue to hold that position,” Miller said.
Most EU countries are also not expected to send officials to the ceremony, although France, Slovakia and Hungary are expected to send representatives, Reuters reported. The news agency quoted an unnamed EU spokesman as saying that the EU ambassador to Russia would not attend the ceremony.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow does not hold elections or inaugurations “to gain admiration, love or hatred from the West.”
— Holly Elliot
Putin will be sworn in as president for the fifth time
President-elect Putin was sworn in as President of Russia at the St. Andrew’s Hall of the Kremlin in Moscow.
Mikhail Metzer | TASS via Getty Images
Putin will be sworn in as Russian president for the fifth time in his political career.
Ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration in the Kremlin, Putin’s allies heaped praise on the “strongman” leader, saying society had consolidated around the president who first took office 24 years ago.
Ahead of the inauguration ceremony at noon Moscow time (10am London time), Russian officials including State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin heaped praise on the president, saying “Putin saved the country”.
“He revived Russia, restored state capabilities, and ensured social and economic development. Putin is Russia’s strength. The social consolidation around our president will continue to lead the country to new victories.” he said on Telegram.
Russia’s government, led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, will resign on Tuesday, with a government reshuffle expected in the coming days and weeks.
Close observers of Russian politics will be watching which allies Putin maintains close ties with, several of whom have held ministerial posts for years, and who gets promoted or demoted.
— Holly Elliot
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