普京开始第四次俄罗斯总统任期

Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in to a fourth term on Monday, extending his 18-year rule amid promises of continuity in foreign policy and renewed efforts toward building prosperity at home.

During his swearing in ceremony at the gilded Andreyevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin assured Russians that his rule had “revived pride” in the country.

As head of state, I will do all I can to multiply the strength and prosperity of Russia,” Putin told a packed room of Russia's political and culture elite. “The object of my life and my work will be to serve the people and the fatherland.”

Kremlin officials had hinted that this year's ceremony would be more modest than his 2017 inauguration — which critics mocked over a decision to clear Moscow's streets for the arrival of Putin's motorcade. Televised images of Putin and his bodyguards alone in the streets of the capital seemed only to emphasize the Russian president had lost touch with the public.

Instead, this year's inauguration found the Russian leader diligently working at his desk when a call came notifying him the time to take the oath of office had come.

As Putin donned his jacket and made his way to the ceremony, television viewers were treated to another surprise: he would now travel to official events in a Russian-built limousine rather than his traditional Mercedes.

俄罗斯总统普京星期一宣誓就职，第四次作为总统继续他18年的统治。普京承诺保持对外政策的连续性，并展开新的努力建设俄罗斯的繁荣。

普京在克里姆林宫镀金的安德列耶夫斯基大厅宣誓就职，他在仪式上讲话说，在他的领导下，俄罗斯“恢复了自豪感”。

他对着大厅里云集的俄罗斯政治文化精英们说，“作为国家元首，我将尽我所能来加倍提升俄罗斯的实力和繁荣。”他说，“我的生活和工作目标将是为祖国和人民服务。”

克里姆林宫官员暗示说，普京今年的就职典礼比2017年的要低调很多。当时做出了莫斯科街头清场以迎接普京车队的决定。批评人士嘲笑说，普京和他的保镖孤零零在首都街头的电视图像似乎只能强调俄罗斯总统已经与公众失去联系。

相反，今年举行就职典礼时，这位俄罗斯领导人在他的办公桌前努力工作，直到得到通知到了宣誓就职的时间。

当普京穿上外套进入现场时，电视观众又看到一个惊喜：他现在乘坐俄罗斯制造的豪华轿车而不是他以往的奔驰车参加正式活动。