Putin officially takes office as president of Russia
MOSCOW. May 7 (Interfax) - Vladimir Putin has officially taken office as president of the Russian Federation for the fourth time.
Putin took an oath on the country's Constitution at a ceremony at the Kremlin on Monday, beginning his second six-year term, which will last until 2024.
"I swear to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of people and citizens, observe and defend the Constitution of the Russian Federation, defend the sovereignty and independence, the security and integrity of the state, and serve the people loyally while exercising my powers as president of the Russian Federation," he said.
Putin took the oath with his right hand on a special copy of the official text of the Russian Constitution, a symbol of presidential power in Russia, along with the standard and sign of the president.
The cover of the copy of the Constriction was the same one on which Dmitry Medvedev took his oath in 2008. The printed text was brought into compliance with the Russian Constitution as it currently reads, including clauses according to which the president is elected for six years and the parliament for five.
Russian Supreme Court Chairman Valery Zorkin then said that Putin had officially taken office.