Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President

Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russian president on May 7 in a glittering ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace. Some 2,000 guests gathered to witness his inauguration for a six-year term.

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© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov

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Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russian president on May 7 in a glittering ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace.

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© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov

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“I swear on the power invested in my as president of the Russian Federation to respect and protect the rights and freedom of its citizens,” Putin said, his right hand placed on a red-bound copy of the Russian Constitution.

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© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Klimentyev

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Dmitry Medvedev entering the Grand Kremlin Palace before the inauguration ceremony.

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© RIA Novosti . Yana Lapikova

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Vladimir Putin leaving the White House (the Russian government headquarters) before the inauguration ceremony.

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© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov

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Some 2,000 guests gathered in the Grand Kremlin Palace to witness Putin's inauguration for a six-year term.

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© Sputnik / Vladimir Rodionov

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“We are entering a new stage of national development,” Putin said. “We want to live in a democratic country…in a successful Russia.”

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© RIA Novosti . Yekaterina Shtukina

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Medvedev said shortly before Putin’s inauguration that the authorities had become “more open to dialogue” during his four-year rule.

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© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Klimentyev

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Russia’s nuclear suitcase was handed over to Putin immediately after his inauguration.