Putin sworn in as Russian president for a fifth term

President Putin was sworn in for a fifth term at a glittering ceremony at the Kremlin on Tuesday, shortly after the widow of Alexei Navalny, the late opposition leader, described him as “a liar, a thief and a murderer”.

The opulent inauguration at the gilded Grand Kremlin Palace was boycotted by Britain, the United States and most European Union countries over the war in Ukraine, which is in its third year.

“We are a united and great nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles, realise everything we have planned, and together we will win,” Putin, 71, said after swearing the presidential oath on the constitution.

President Putin will become the longest-serving leader of Russia since the 18th century, overtaking Stalin, if he completes this new term

SERGEI BOBYLYOV/AFP

Putin has been in power for 24 years and will become Russia’s longest-serving leader since the 18th century, overtaking