"We often say: in Russia the head of state is and will be responsible for everything. This is indeed so," said Putin in his inauguration speech in the Kremlin after the swearing-in ceremony.
At the same time the head of state noted that for reforms to succeed he needs extensive support of civil society.
"Well aware of the measure of my personal responsibility, I want to emphasise that Russia's success and prosperity cannot and must not depend on one person or one political force. We should have a broad support base in order to carry on transformations in the country," the head of state noted.
"The best guarantee of that is a mature civil society," Putin added.
Putin said that he, as before, would proceed from the fact that support by citizens of the Russian Federation was the most important buttress in the Russian president's work.
"I wish to thank all those who showed me high confidence and honour by electing me to this post," the head of state said. He also expressed his appreciation of those who over the past four years contributed to the development of Russia.
One of the main results of the four years of his first presidential tenure, which started in 2000, Putin believes, has been prevention of the country's territorial breakdown.
"Then, in 2000, many problems seemed insoluble. But the people showed their best civic qualities. In that period we fought for territorial integrity, and were also building economic potential by painstaking efforts," Putin said.
"We have achieved it ourselves," the Russian president stressed, explaining that this concerns high rates of economic growth, and the coping with a difficult situation, and confrontation with international terrorism.
The country avoided territorial disintegration, the president emphasised.
"This country will openly strengthen its potential and will protect, by peaceful means, its interests in the international arena," the Russian head of state gave an assurance.
