Russian President Vladimir Putin was inaugurated at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 7, beginning his fifth term in office. To counter the ambitions of the entrenched "Putin empire," democracies like the U.S., Europe and Japan must be more united than ever.
Putin, who became president in 2000, proposed his own constitutional amendment in 2020 that paved the way for a two-term extension of 12 years. He can remain in office until 2036, possibly earning the title of head of state for life.
