The Kyiv Independent
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Putin inaugurated to 5th term in office in ceremony largely boycotted by West.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in on May 7 to his fifth term in office in an elaborate ceremony that most Western countries refused to participate in.
Putin easily won another six-year term in office in an election in March that is widely viewed as being rigged.
Many European countries , such as the U.K., Germany, Estonia, Czechia, as well as the U.S., said they would boycott the inauguration ceremony .
The inauguration was attended by representatives from six EU countries: France, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus.
Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, said that he sent a message to EU member states that "the right thing to do is not to attend this inauguration."
In a sign of Russia's declining influence in its near abroad, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declined to join.
A smattering of foreign guests participated, but foreign leaders were largely absent.
"We are a united and great people, and together we will overcome all obstacles, we will bring to life everything we have planned," Putin said in his inauguration speech.
"Together we will be victorious."
Putin added that he would not "refuse to have dialogue" with the West.
"The choice is (the West's): do they intend to continue trying to restrain the development of Russia, continue the policy of aggression, continuous pressure on our country for years, or look for a path to cooperation and peace," Putin said.
Besides a brief mention of his appreciation for soldiers fighting in the "special military operation," the Russian euphemism used to obfuscate the true nature of its full-scale war, Putin did not mention Ukraine in his speech.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that while there would be no American representative at the ceremony, the U.S. would recognize Putin as the president of Russia.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry urged other countries and international organizations not to recognize Putin as the rightful president.
There are "no legal grounds for recognizing Putin as the democratically elected and legitimate president of Russia," the ministry said.
The European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a resolution in April condemning Putin's election as being illegitimate.
Russian strikes near Kupiansk kill 5, injure 9
Five people were killed and nine injured in Russian strikes on villages in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast, local authorities reported on May 19.
West's stance on Ukraine war 'completely nonsensical,' says UK defense secretary.
The West's current stance on the war in Ukraine and delays in military aid are "completely nonsensical," the U.K's defense secretary said on May 19.
Russian attacks in Kherson Oblast injure 6
At least six people were injured in Ukraine's Kherson Oblast after a series of Russian attacks on May 19, the Kherson Regional Military Administration said.
Energy workers targeted by Russian Lancet drone during repair in Donetsk Oblast.
The attack comes as Russia continues to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure with various types of weapons across the country.
Russian attack north of Kharkiv kills 4, wounds 8
Four civilians were killed and eight wounded in the attack, according to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
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