Putin sworn in for fourth term

Vladimir Putin took oath of office on Monday to start his fourth term as Russian president.

"It is my duty and the meaning of my entire life to do everything for Russia, its present and future, to ensure that it is peaceful and prosperous, to preserve and perpetuate our great people, and bring prosperity to every household in Russia," Putin said at the inauguration ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace.

He said Russia needs to build a free society. "We need breakthroughs in all areas of life... Such progress can only be achieved by a free society that embraces everything new and advanced, and rejects injustice, stagnation, ignorant protectionism and bureaucratic deadness," he said.

The president said Russia must focus its energy on working out a solution that raises its competitiveness in economic growth and technology development.

Some 6,000 people were invited to the inauguration ceremony, including members of the government, deputies and senators, judges of the Constitutional Court, heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of the clergy and youth organizations.

Following the inauguration ceremony, Putin reviewed the parade of honor guards of the presidential regiment in the Cathedral Square at the Kremlin and, as the head of state and the top commander of military forces in Russia, took over the presidential emergency satchel, also known as the "nuclear briefcase" or "nuclear football", which is part of the automatic system for the command and control of Russia's Strategic Nuclear Forces.

Later on Monday, Putin signed a decree for Russia's roadmap of strategic development that sets targets of the national development in all spheres up to 2024, including the goal of joining the group of the world's five largest economies by the end of his term, according to the Kremlin.

He is also expected to name a new prime minister and submit the nomination to parliament later on Monday.

Putin won a landslide victory in the March 18 presidential election with a record 76.67 percent of votes or over 56 million people voting in favor of him.