Putin begins fourth term as Russian President with vow to boost country's economy
- 6 years ago
Now for a look at stories making headlines around the world and we start in Russia.
Vladimir Putin launched his fourth term as President on Monday, extending his 18-year rule.
Also, as widely expected, Putin put forward his long-time associate Dmitry Medvedev to continue as prime minister, who is expected to be confirmed on Tuesday.
For more on this and other international news we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… Putin has many challenges ahead, especially amid tensions with the west and rising domestic anger over poverty…
That's right Semin… Putin was sworn in at a lavish ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace after winning more than 70 percent of the vote in presidential elections two months ago.
Speaking after the inauguration, Putin vowed to improve living standards and to breathe life into Russia's stagnant economy.
"But now we must use all the opportunities available - first of all to reach the internal, the most essential development goals, for the economic, technology breakthrough, for raising competitive ability in those spheres which determine the future. A new quality of life, a well-being, security and health of a person are the most important. These are the issues at the center of our policy."
His pledge comes at a time when the Russian people are increasingly showing discontent over the country's economy and increasing wage gap.
More than a thousand people across the country were arrested over the weekend after anti-Putin protests turned violent.
His drive to the inauguration along a completely blocked-off road also seemed to show he had lost touch with the public.
"If I'm honest, I am ashamed of what is happening here in Russia. And specifically for today's inauguration: from the morning everything was totally blocked up, police were everywhere and the inauguration it should be… if you compare it with the inaugurations of democratic countries - here I saw no joy or happiness in this moment."
Besides restoring the Russian people's trust, Putin also has the task of building trust with the west.
Relations with the U.S. and Europe have reached a near cold-war low, mostly due to Russia's alleged meddling in western elections, the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain and Moscow's support for the Assad regime in Syria.
Despite the setbacks, Putin seemed optimistic, saying Russia has always revived itself like a phoenix.
Vladimir Putin launched his fourth term as President on Monday, extending his 18-year rule.
Also, as widely expected, Putin put forward his long-time associate Dmitry Medvedev to continue as prime minister, who is expected to be confirmed on Tuesday.
For more on this and other international news we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… Putin has many challenges ahead, especially amid tensions with the west and rising domestic anger over poverty…
That's right Semin… Putin was sworn in at a lavish ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace after winning more than 70 percent of the vote in presidential elections two months ago.
Speaking after the inauguration, Putin vowed to improve living standards and to breathe life into Russia's stagnant economy.
"But now we must use all the opportunities available - first of all to reach the internal, the most essential development goals, for the economic, technology breakthrough, for raising competitive ability in those spheres which determine the future. A new quality of life, a well-being, security and health of a person are the most important. These are the issues at the center of our policy."
His pledge comes at a time when the Russian people are increasingly showing discontent over the country's economy and increasing wage gap.
More than a thousand people across the country were arrested over the weekend after anti-Putin protests turned violent.
His drive to the inauguration along a completely blocked-off road also seemed to show he had lost touch with the public.
"If I'm honest, I am ashamed of what is happening here in Russia. And specifically for today's inauguration: from the morning everything was totally blocked up, police were everywhere and the inauguration it should be… if you compare it with the inaugurations of democratic countries - here I saw no joy or happiness in this moment."
Besides restoring the Russian people's trust, Putin also has the task of building trust with the west.
Relations with the U.S. and Europe have reached a near cold-war low, mostly due to Russia's alleged meddling in western elections, the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain and Moscow's support for the Assad regime in Syria.
Despite the setbacks, Putin seemed optimistic, saying Russia has always revived itself like a phoenix.