Vladimir Putin begins his fifth term as Russian president in an opulent Kremlin inauguration Tuesday, after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and consolidating all power in his hands.
Already in office for nearly a quarter-century and the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin, Putin’s new term doesn’t expire until 2030, when he is constitutionally eligible to run for another six years.
He has transformed Russia from a country emerging from economic collapse to a pariah state that threatens global security. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine that has become Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II, Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the West and is turning other regimes like China, Iran and North Korea for support.
The question now is what the 71-year-old Putin will do over the course of another six years, both at home and abroad.
Kim Kardashian is surprised by Jimmy Kimmel Live's Guillermo as he models her SKIMS shapewear
Meg Bennett dead at 75 following cancer battle: Emmy
Pregnant Draya Michele, 39, and NBA star boyfriend Jalen Green, 22, host cherry
Columbia switches to hybrid learning amid protests over Israel's war in Gaza
Celine Dion reveals she wore a coat for 'nerve
I have the largest penis in Britain
Taylor Swift pops a pill to forget the pain she's suffered at the hands of bad