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. |
Women's soccer coach accused of sexual harassment in Brazil resigns after protestsWidow, 92, refuses latest eyeShanghai airports see surge in inbound foreign travelers in Q1NBA attendance: League says 71% of games this season were sellouts4 killed in coal mine accident in central ChinaCalifornia officials sue Huntington Beach over voter ID law passed at pollsAbu Ghraib detainee shares emotional testimony during trial against Virginia military contractorHawks' Trae Young says he feels better after lateHawks' Trae Young says he feels better after lateChina expects over 750 mln inter