“Dialogue if…” –

“Together we will win”: this was the conclusion of the speech given by Russian President Vladimir Putin following the swearing-in ceremony, the fifth as head of state and the first since the worsening of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. The text of his statements has been relaunched by the Moscow media. “At the end of the speech”, reports the Novosti news agency, “there was a fireworks display to the tune of the patriotic song ‘Gloria'”. Putin was sworn in in the Grand Kremlin Palace, the official residence of the Russian president, in Moscow. The ceremony took place in the Hall of Saint Andrew, covered in blue silk and rich in gold, a reference to the Order of Saint Andrew, the highest imperial honour, established by Tsar Peter the Great in 1698. However, the “vast majority “of the ambassadors of the EU member states to Russia did not participate in the inauguration ceremony “including the EU ambassador”, notes EU Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Peter Stano.

In his speech, Putin stated that it is “a difficult period” that Russia is going through, but “together we will go through it with dignity and become even stronger (…). We will overcome all obstacles and give life to all our projects “, Putin added, stating that “we look forward with confidence, we plan our future, we are already implementing new projects to make us even more dynamic, even more powerful”. The head of the Kremlin then said he was in favor of “a dialogue with Western states”, but that it be “on an equal footing (…). We do not reject dialogue with Western states”, on the contrary “we have been and will be open to strengthen good relations with all countries that see Russia as a reliable and honest partner,'” he said. As far as Western countries are concerned, “the choice is theirs” and “a dialogue, including on issues of security and strategic stability, is possible”. But on the condition that this dialogue is not conducted “from a position of strength”, but “without any arrogance, presumption and personal exclusivity, but only on equal terms, respecting mutual interests”. Putin instead spoke of dialogue not being possible if Western countries “intend to continue trying to slow down Russia’s development, continue the policy of aggression”.

Meanwhile, foreign policy advisor Yusi Ushakov has made it known that Putin’s first foreign visit following taking office for a fifth term will be in China, following which he will travel to Turkey.