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.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankVladimir Putin was sworn in as Russian president on May 7 in a glittering ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace.
![Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17329/00/173290033_0:0:3150:2000_600x0_80_0_1_ad103d282d85c4d5e086e754ec521614.jpg)
Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russian president on May 7 in a glittering ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabank“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.
![Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17328/98/173289831_0:0:1348:2000_600x0_80_0_1_0d5bafa2cdb04518b0adc168b0c57460.jpg)
“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.
© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Klimentyev / Go to the mediabankDmitry Medvedev entering the Grand Kremlin Palace before the inauguration ceremony.
![Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17328/98/173289878_0:0:2928:2000_600x0_80_0_1_3516f6d0e714d180f7827db224463559.jpg)
Dmitry Medvedev entering the Grand Kremlin Palace before the inauguration ceremony.
© RIA Novosti . Yana Lapikova / Go to the mediabankVladimir Putin leaving the White House (the Russian government headquarters) before the inauguration ceremony.
![Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17328/98/173289857_0:0:1330:2000_600x0_80_0_1_1dda33275a0ce673a243cd638d42d9b6.jpg)
Vladimir Putin leaving the White House (the Russian government headquarters) before the inauguration ceremony.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankSome 2,000 guests gathered in the Grand Kremlin Palace to witness Putin's inauguration for a six-year term.
![Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17328/99/173289905_0:0:3000:2000_600x0_80_0_1_7c1cf9540f901675ac0c9ef9363660e0.jpg)
Some 2,000 guests gathered in the Grand Kremlin Palace to witness Putin's inauguration for a six-year term.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabank“We are entering a new stage of national development,” Putin said. “We want to live in a democratic country…in a successful Russia.”
![Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17328/97/173289782_0:0:2878:1999_600x0_80_0_1_c33cc578d98c747d539dc166be428a62.jpg)
“We are entering a new stage of national development,” Putin said. “We want to live in a democratic country…in a successful Russia.”
© RIA Novosti . Yekaterina Shtukina / Go to the mediabankMedvedev said shortly before Putin’s inauguration that the authorities had become “more open to dialogue” during his four-year rule.
![Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17328/99/173289949_0:0:3000:2000_600x0_80_0_1_6340f19d90d9bd8e727f3e212301f0c1.jpg)
Medvedev said shortly before Putin’s inauguration that the authorities had become “more open to dialogue” during his four-year rule.
© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Klimentyev / Go to the mediabankRussia’s nuclear suitcase was handed over to Putin immediately after his inauguration.
![Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President Vladimir Putin Sworn in as Russian President - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17329/00/173290000_0:0:1302:2000_600x0_80_0_1_3d04021e5758fae097ff29e999a12e54.jpg)
Russia’s nuclear suitcase was handed over to Putin immediately after his inauguration.