(VOVworld) - Vladimir Putin, who won the Russian presidential election on March 4^th, took up office Monday as Russian president for a third term. At his swearing in ceremony in Moscow, Putin pledged to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of the people and citizens and observe and protect the constitution of the Russian Federation. He vowed to defend the sovereignty, independence, security and integrity of the country and to serve the people faithfully.

Putin sworn in for the third presidential term

Earlier, Putin committed himself to focusing on 4 major fields, including reforming the political system and developing democracy, boosting socio-economic development, enhancing national defense and security, and implementing independent external policies. Regarding external policies, analysts predict that Putin will continue to follow cautious policies, balancing the country’s relations to ensure its own interests. Putin said that Russia consistently fights for a multipolar world order. The new leader stressed that Russia’s greatest security challenge is the US and NATO reconsidering the current world order in the best interest of western countries. He stated that Russia will not tolerate any plots by NATO and the US but be ready to cooperate and has narrowed its conflicts of interests with some western countries.

Putin was born on October 7^th in 1952 into a working family. He was confirmed Acting Russian President on December 31^st 1999 and became Russian President in 2000. He assumed the post of Russian leader for 2 consecutive 4-year terms from 2000 to 2008 and then became Russian Prime Minister during 2008-2012. He was reelected Russia’s president in the country’s elections on March 4^th this year for his third term in office.