News - Middle East: Vladimir Putin has been sworn in for a record-breaking fifth term as Russia’s president, beginning another six-year tenure amid an unprecedented confrontation with the West over the war in Ukraine.

The ceremony on Tuesday, widely boycotted by Western diplomats, was held at Andreyevsky Hall in the Grand Kremlin Palace, where 71-year-old swore an oath of allegiance by placing his right hand on Russia’s constitution.
On his orders, the Russian military launched its “special military operation” in neighboring Ukraine in February 2022 to “de-Nazify” and “de-militarize” the ex-Soviet republic seeking NATO membership.
Since the onset of the war, the West, and most notably the United States, supported Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities. The US, alone, has pledged more than $44 billion in security aid to Kiev.
In his speech on Tuesday, Putin, who is in power as president or prime minister since 1999, said he wanted to “bow” before Russian soldiers there, stressing that his landslide re-election in March was proof Russia was united and on the right track.

“You, citizens of Russia, have confirmed the correctness of the country’s course. This is of great importance right now, when we are faced with serious challenges,” he said at the lavish ceremony.

“I see in this a deep understanding of our common historical goals, a determination to adamantly defend our choice, our values, freedom and the national interests of Russia,” Putin said.