Vladimir Putin begins his fifth term as president with totalitarian control over Russia

Vladimir Putin began his fifth term as President of Russia on Tuesday Having destroyed his political rivals, with a grand opening ceremony in the Kremlin, he started a devastating war in Ukraine and consolidated all power in his hands.

A new mandate from Putin, who has been in power for more than a quarter of a century He is the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Joseph Stalin.does not end until 2030When he could opt for another six-year term.

at a ceremony held in elaborate Grand Kremlin PalacePutin laid hands on the Constitution and promised to protect it A crowd of carefully selected leaders.

Putin has changed Russia of one The country is emerging from economic collapse A Pariah who is a threat to global security. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which has become the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, Russia has faced intense sanctions from the West and turned to other regimes such as China, Iran and North Korea for support. Is taking a stance.

The question now is what 71-year-old Putin will do domestically and internationally in the next six years.

Russian forces are making gains in Ukraine, deploying scorched earth tactics as Kiev faces shortages of troops and ammunition. Both sides are suffering huge losses.

Ukraine has taken the fight to Russian soil with drone and missile attacksEspecially on the border areas.

In his inaugural speech, Putin appeared to refer to the invasion, though without naming it.

“We will pass through this difficult period with dignity and emerge stronger“, the Russian leader signaled in the Kremlin and said: “We are a great and united nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles, we will achieve everything planned, and together, we will win.”

Shortly after his re-election in March, Putin suggests conflict between NATO and Russia is possibleAnd announced that he wanted to establish a security zone in Ukraine to protect his country from cross-border attacks.

still, Today offered talks to the West on security and strategic stabilityHowever he defended the creation of a new world order.

“We do not reject dialogue with Western countries. It depends on them,” he said after taking oath. He stressed that dialogue with the West on matters of security and strategic stability is “possible”, but warned that it should not be done “from a position of power” but rather “without arrogance, egoism or personal exclusivity, and only There should be equality. conditions respecting the interests of each one.”

Meanwhile, he stressed that Russia should continue its work “Creating a Multipolar World.” And an equitable and indivisible security system.”

In Russia, his Popularity is closely related to improvement in standard of living Of ordinary Russians.

In 2018, He began his tenure with a promise to put Russia among the five largest economies in the world., Pointing out that it would be a “modern and dynamic” nation. Instead, the Russian economy has shifted toward base of warwith record defense spending,

Now that Putin has secured six more years in power, analysts say The government may take unpopular steps like raising taxes to finance the war Or pressure more people to join the army.

The government will be dissolved with the beginning of the new mandate. Putin can appoint a new Prime Minister and a new executive.

One of the departments to keep in mind is Ministry of Defence,

Last year, the Defense Minister, sergey shoiguCame under pressure from his war management and mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin He strongly criticized him for the shortage of ammunition for his company’s soldiers fighting in Ukraine. Prigozhin’s brief rebellion against the Defense Ministry in June was the biggest threat to Putin’s government.

After Prigozhin’s death in a mysterious plane crash two months later, Shoigu appeared to have escaped the infighting. But last month, his protégé, Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanovaccused of was arrested Bribe Amid reports of large-scale corruption.

Some analysts have suggested that Shoigu may become a victim of government restructuringHowever, this would be a bold move as the country continues the war in Ukraine.

In the years following the invasion, Authorities have repressed any form of dissent With such ferocity that has never been seen since the Soviet era. There are no signs that this repression will ease during Putin’s new term.

His main rival, the opposition leader Alexey Navalny, died in February in a penal colony in the Arctic. Other prominent critics have either been jailed or fled the country, and some of his opponents abroad fear for their safety.

he has imposed himself Rules that threaten long prison sentences for anyone who defames the military, also attacks the Kremlin independent mediato groups of human rightto the workers lgbtq+ And others do not agree with what Putin has emphasized about Russia’s “traditional family values.”

(With information from AP)