Putin takes presidential reins for third time

Vladimir Putin took the oath as Russia’s president yesterday with a ringing appeal for unity at the start of a six-year term in which he faces growing dissent, economic problems, and bitter political rivalries.

Outside the Kremlin’s high red walls, riot police prevented protests by rounding up 120 people, including men and women in cafés wearing the white ribbons symbolising opposition to Putin, a day after detaining more than 400 people during clashes.

In the Kremlin, 2,000 dignitaries applauded Putin’s every step down the red carpet into a vast hall with gilded columns, the throne room of tsars, where he was sworn in with his right hand resting on the red-bound Russian constitution.