Putin sworn in as Russian president

MOSCOW - Vladimir Putin was sworn in on Monday as Russian president, starting his third term in the Kremlin following the two consecutive terms from 2000 to 2008.

The 59-year-old political veteran, who served as prime minister from 2008 to 2012, won a resounding victory in the country's presidential election in March.

Putin's policies   ECONOMY Putin advocates the diversification of the Russian economy, which is now heavily dependent on energy resources, and calls for an innovation-oriented economy. He also promises to improve education, agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors. Besides, Putin proposes to reduce state intervention and to adjust economic policies to attract more foreign investment.   FOREIGN POLICY Putin advocates a multi-polar world and a bigger role of the United Nations while rejecting the West's "export of democracy" and military intervention in a sovereign state. He vows that Russia would continue an active and constructive policy toward enhancing global security and promoting integration of the post-Soviet space. As regards relations with China, Putin sees China as an important and reliable strategic partner and calls for closer ties between the two countries.   MILITARY POLICY Putin believes his country should keep nuclear deterrence to meet global challenges and ensure the country's strategic stability. He also urges Russia to learn to assess global threats 30 to 50 years in advance. With regard to the disputed U.S.-led European missile shield, Putin warns that Russia's response to the deployment will be "efficient and asymmetrical."   POLITICAL REFORMS Putin signals that Russia may implement gradual political reforms, including making adjustments to gubernatorial and legislative elections and simplifying the registration process for small parties. He also stresses that Russia needs a 10-year stable development period and any political reform should be implemented on the basis of stability.   SOCIAL POLICY Putin vows to enhance social welfare, create some 25 million jobs for the intellectuals and provide housing for some 60 percent of Russian families by 2020. He is opposed to increasing the retirement age, urges the government to pay more attention to health care system and proposes to cut mortgage payment rates. Meanwhile, Putin also envisages a long-term demographic development plan to increase Russia's population to 154 million in the next 40 years.   ETHNIC POLICY Putin supports a multi-ethnic society in Russia and pledges to provide financial assistance to the volatile North Caucasus region. He also advocates the unity of civilization and fiercely rejects any kind of separatism, extremism or terrorism.

Putting his right hand on the Russian Constitution, Putin read out the text of the oath: "In performing my duties as the President of the Russian Federation, I pledge to respect and protect the rights and liberties of every citizen; to observe and protect the Constitution of the Russian Federation; to protect the sovereignty and independence, security and integrity of the state and to serve the people faithfully."

He noted that Russia is entering a new stage of development, pledging to lead his country through that period.

"We will need to solve the tasks of a new level, different quality and scale. The coming years will be decisive for Russia's destiny for decades ahead," Putin said.

"Entering the office of president of the Russian Federation, I realize my full responsibility to my country. Its interests, security, the welfare of its citizens have always been and will always remain above all for me," Putin said.

"I will do my best to live up to the expectations of millions of our compatriots," he added.

The new president also spoke highly of former President Dmitry Medvedev, saying that he has guaranteed the continuity of Russia's development.

"Today we have everything for advancement, for construction - an effective and developing state, a solid economic and social base, an active and responsible civil society. I largely attribute this to the efforts of Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev," Putin said.

As he promised before the country's presidential election, Putin, after his inauguration, submitted a bill to the State Duma, or the lower house, nominating Dmitry Medvedev as the new prime minister.

Under the Constitution, immediately upon Putin's taking post of president, the Russian government resigned but still performed duties until the formation of a new one.

Currently, First Vice-Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov is the acting head of the Russian government.

Putin's inauguration ceremony was held at the Kremlin at noon and was attended by some 3,000 senior officials as well as foreign guests.

Six Russian TV channels covered the inauguration ceremony.

Reactions

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday congratulated Vladimir Putin on his inauguration as Russian president.

In a message, Hu wished greater achievements of the Russian people in developing their country under Putin's leadership.

Hu said the relationship between China and Russia maintains good momentum.

China and Russia are each other's largest neighbor and most important strategic partner, said the Chinese president.

To develop a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is in line with the fundamental interests and common aspirations of the two peoples, and is conducive to regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity, Hu said.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Russia, and is willing to work with Russia to deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields and at various levels, and strengthen strategic coordination in international and regional affairs so as to push China-Russia relations to new levels and benefit the two peoples, he said.

Hu urged the two countries to take as priority the implementation of a 10-year blueprint for the development of bilateral ties on the basis of fruitful achievements already made.

Ukrainian president congratulates Putin on inauguration

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday congratulated Vladimir Putin on his inauguration as the new Russian president.

"On behalf of the people of Ukraine and from me personally I congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Russian Federation. Your long-term work and efforts to further develop the economically strong, progressive and stable state, won the wide support of Russian citizens once again," Yanukovych was quoted by his press-service as saying.

Yanukovych expressed his hope that Putin's new term will further strengthen the comprehensive Ukrainian-Russian strategic partnership in a spirit of friendship and mutual understanding.

The Ukrainian president wished Putin good health and success.

Also, Yanukovych wished peace and prosperity to the Russian people.

Profile

Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russia's president on Monday, succeeding Dmitry Medvedev and starting a third term in the Kremlin following his two consecutive terms in 2000-2008.

Putin, who had served as prime minister during Medvedev's presidency from 2008 to 2012, won a resounding victory in the country's presidential election in March.

Born in Russia's second largest city of Leningrad (today's St. Petersburg) on October 7, 1952, Putin graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1975 and was commissioned to work in former Soviet Union's State Security Committee (KGB).

In 1985, Putin worked in East Germany as a KGB agent.

After the collapse of East Germany in 1990, Putin returned to the Soviet Union and worked as an assistant to the rector of Leningrad State University, Anatoly Sobchak.

After Sobchak was elected mayor of St. Petersburg in June 1991, Putin was appointed head of the mayor's office committee for external relations.

In March 1997, he was appointed deputy chief of then Russian President Boris Yeltsin's office and head of the president's main control directorate.

In July 1998, Yeltsin appointed Putin director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the KGB.

In March 1999, while still heading the FSB, Putin was appointed secretary of the State Security Council. In August 1999, Yeltsin dismissed Sergei Stepashin, his fourth prime minister in 16 months, and replaced him with Putin. Upon Yeltsin's resignation on December 31, 1999, Putin became acting president of Russia.

Putin, riding a wave of popularity for his bold military actions against Chechen rebels, his no-nonsense incorruptible image and his promise to rejuvenate the Russian nation, won the presidential election in 2000.

During his first term in the Kremlin, the stable political situation at home, steady economic growth and improvement of Russians' living standards all helped boost Putin's prestige. He was re-elected president in 2004 by a landslide.

In the 2008 presidential election, Putin endorsed then first Deputy Prime Minister Medvedev as he himself was barred from seeking a third consecutive term under Russian constitution.

After Medvedev's election as president, Putin became prime minister in the new government.

In September 2011, Putin announced that he would run for president again in 2012.

In his election manifesto, Putin promised to develop an innovation-oriented economy that benefits the people and implement political reforms on the basis of stability. He also called for rearmament and modernization of the Russian forces.

With regard to foreign policy, Putin advocated a multi-polar world and a bigger role of the United Nations, and opposed NATO enlargement.

He pledged to nominate Medvedev as prime minister in the new government if elected.

Putin is married and has two daughters. He is fond of sambo wrestling, judo and mountain skiing.