Russian President Vladimir Putin took the oath of office on Monday for a new six-year term in office.
After Putin took the oath of office, the Constitutional Court chairman, Valery Zorkin, handed him the symbols of state power and announced his assumption of office.
“I consider it my duty and my life’s aim to do everything possible for Russia, for its present and for its future,” Putin said, with his hand on the Russian constitution.
Presidential elections were held in Russia on March 18 and the voter turnout was 67.54 percent.
“I strongly feel conscious of my colossal responsibility,” Putin said at the ceremony before thanking Russians for their “sincere support” and “cohesiveness”.
“We have revived pride in our fatherland.
“As head of state I will do all I can to multiply the strength and prosperity of Russia,” Putin said.
Earlier Russian state television showed Putin walking to his new Russian-made presidential limousine that drove him to the lavish ceremony.
Putin won the elections gaining 76.69 percent of the vote, with over 56.4 million voters casting their ballots for him, according to Central Election Commission data.
He has been in power for 18 years, whether as president or prime minister, and opponents have likened his tenure to the reign of a tsar, or emperor.
