As President Vladimir Putin stepped onto the dais for his fifth inauguration, the international community observed with a mix of apprehension and scrutiny. Inside the opulent Andreyevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, where Putin took the oath of office, the grandeur of the ceremony was unmistakable, but it was the president’s speech that sparked concerns far beyond the gleaming walls of the throne room.
The event, boycotted by the United States and several European Union countries amidst the backdrop of the protracted war in Ukraine, marked the beginning of yet another term for Putin, who secured an overwhelming victory in the March presidential elections, albeit under contentious circumstances. There were allegations of tightly controlled proceedings and the disqualification of anti-war candidates.
In his speech, Putin asserted Russia’s intention to define its own fate, stating, “We will determine the fate of Russia by ourselves and only ourselves, for the sake of today’s and future generations.” This sentiment echoed his previous declarations that the security of Russian citizens ranked “above all else,” signaling a fortified commitment to their safety in uncertain times.
The tone of the president’s remarks offered a thinly veiled warning that dissent would not be tolerated. Putin’s comment on the “tragic price of internal turmoil” and the necessity for Russia to be “absolutely resistant” to it revealed an uncompromising stance on protests and opposition—a stance that aligns with the ongoing crackdown within the country.
Furthermore, Putin’s speech reiterated the theme of a multipolar world and the creation of an “equal and indivisible security system,” a priority he has highlighted in the past. This notion of a multipolar world order is often perceived as a challenge to the West’s influence and raises questions about the potential impacts on international stability.
The reaction to Putin’s inauguration and his speech has been notably varied. While France sent its ambassador to the ceremony, most Western nations opted for a boycott, with Ukraine denouncing the inauguration as an attempt to legitimize Putin’s prolonged rule. Despite the international condemnation, Sergey Chemezov, a close ally of Putin, dismissed the Western perspective, portraying the Russian president as a beacon of stability for Russia amidst external challenges.
Behind the scenes, the Kremlin has been re-engineering Russian society into a regressive, militarized state, as identified by pro-Kremlin commentators. The transformation is set against an anti-Western backdrop, with Putin’s administration fostering ultraconservative values and reshaping education to instill a new sense of patriotism among the youth.
The scope of changes at home is vast, ranging from cultural sterilization and the mobilization of pro-war activism under the brutal Z symbol to the rollback of women’s rights and the glorification of Stalinist history. Putin has made no secret of his disdain for the West, accusing it of being the true aggressor and describing it in terms as severe as “satanic.”
The inauguration speech, therefore, becomes not just a reflection of internal Russian affairs but an ominous signpost for the West of a Russia that is hardening its defenses and doubling down on its global narrative. Putin’s concluding words in the speech, “We will overcome all obstacles and bring all our plans to life,” seem to resonate with a confidence that is both unyielding and unsettling for international onlookers.
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin’s words might concern West as he gives inauguration speech; plot to ‘kill Zelenskyy … , Sky News, 05/08/2024
– Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin more confident than ever inauguration speech; plot to ‘kill Zelenskyy’ stopped, Sky News, 05/07/2024
– Under Putin, a militarized new Russia rises to challenge U.S. and the West, The Washington Post, 05/06/2024
– Putin sworn in as Russian president, Morning Star Online, 05/07/2024
– Russian President Putin Takes Oath for Another Six Years, Novinite.com, 05/07/2024