Putin sworn in as Russia's President for the fifth time

The ceremony began with the entry of Russia's National Flag, Presidential Flags, the Russian Constitution, and the Presidential Insignia into the Grand Kremlin Palace's St. Andrew's Hall.

According to Article 82 of the Russian Constitution, Vladimir Putin swore an oath to the Russian people, with members of the Federation Council, State Duma members, and judges of the Russian Constitutional Court present. Constitutional Court Chairman Valery Zorkin formally declared Vladimir Putin as the new President of the Russian Federation.

In his address here, Putin said, "In these exciting and important moments of the beginning of my presidential term, I want to sincerely thank all Russian citizens living in all regions of our country, as well as those living on the historical territories of Russia and who have acquired the right to reunite with the Motherland."