Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday was sworn into office at a lavish Kremlin ceremony for a record-breaking fifth term with more power than ever before.
The 71-year-old has ruled Russia since the turn of the century, securing a fresh six-year mandate in March after winning presidential elections devoid of all opposition.
The United States had indicated that it would snub the inauguration the March election in which he (Putin) faced no real opposition.
“We will not have a representative at his inauguration,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Monday.
Details later…