A little after 11 a.m. Norwegian time on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed a large gathering in the Kremlin, right after he was sworn in as Russia’s president for a fifth term. Putin began his speech by thanking the Russian people, before extending an additional thank you to the “soldiers fighting for the motherland”.
– Russia’s fate will be decided by us, and only us. This is how it will be today, and this is how it will be for future generations, Putin said from the podium.
– We will see if they continue
He also offered a salute to the West, blaming Western countries for the ice front that has arisen since Russia went for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine:
– We are open to anyone who is ready to become an honest partner for us. We do not even refuse dialogue with Western countries. We will see if they continue to try to suppress the development of our country and put us under pressure, or if they will look for ways to cooperate with us, Putin said from the podium.
It is unclear whether Putin with “repression” and “pressure” was referring to Western sanctions against Russia or NATO’s support for Ukraine.
The Russian president did not give any expression whatsoever that he wanted to end the invasion of Ukraine, but rather emphasized that Russia has to open “new horizons”.
– It is a complex world that changes rapidly. We must be self-sufficient, and we must be competitive, Putin told the gathering.
– I want to do everything
He ended his speech by thanking the Russian people again, saying he will “do everything in his power to justify the trust” he received after the election. He also said that previous Russian generations have created a “world power”.
– They have achieved triumphs that inspire us today. We are confident about the future. We create plans and programs and implement them. And these plans will make us even stronger, Putin said.
– We are a big nation. Together we will overcome all obstacles. We will realize everything we dream about. Together we will win, Putin concluded, before the sound of applause, horn music and artillery fire filled the room and the square outside the parliament building.
Putin storm: - Directly embarrassing for Norway
The US and most EU countries boycotted the ceremony where Putin was sworn in. Spokesman Matthew Miller in the United States Department of State has stated that Americans do not consider the latest election in the country to be free or fair.
Norway’s ambassador to Russia, Robert Kvile, was on the other hand present during Putin’s inauguration ceremony on Tuesday.
Read also: Putin storm: – Directly embarrassing for Norway
Liberal leader Guri Melby said before the ceremony that she was very critical of Norway participating in the inauguration ceremony of an authoritarian president.
– I think it is downright embarrassing that Norway chooses to legitimize Putin’s ceremony by sending our ambassador. It sends completely wrong signals and legitimizes a presidential election that was not real, says Melby to Nettavisen.
The Foreign Ministry says the reason for Norway’s participation is that they believe it is in Norway’s interest to maintain diplomatic channels with Russia.
– Norway’s relationship with Russia is strongly influenced by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia is on the wrong side of history, says State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eivind Vad Peterson, in a statement to Nettavisen.
– Nevertheless, it is in Norway’s interest to maintain diplomatic channels with our neighboring country, not least in challenging times, in order to be able to deal with important questions about safety at sea, fisheries cooperation and border management. That is why Norway is represented by our ambassador at the presidential inauguration, he adds.
