@italiantimes: Today, 26 years ago (2000), Putin became Russian president for the first time 🗞 07/05/2026 Vladimir Putin took Russia's presidential oath on May 7, 2000 in Moscow's Grand Kremlin Palace—first peaceful post-Soviet power transfer from Boris Yeltsin. After Yeltsin's New Year's Eve resignation catapulted the ex-KGB PM to acting president, Putin won March elections (53%) riding Chechen war popularity. Constitutional Court Chief Marat Baglai administered oath; 30-gun salute, Glinka anthem echoed as presidential standard rose. Yeltsin attended despite health woes; Patriarch Alexiy II, Gorbachev watched Putin pledge sovereignty defense amid 1990s chaos. Andreevsky Hall ceremony symbolized stability promise after oligarch plunder, economic freefall. Italy's D'Alema government eyed post-Yeltsin reset warily as Russia's pivot began. Launchpad for dominance: oil boom recovery, power centralization, Medvedev tandem (2008-12). First of five inaugurations; Italy tracked rising autocrat reshaping ex-USSR sphere. From Yeltsin hangover emerged iron rule enduring a quarter-century. — 🇮🇹🗞 Follow @italiantimes for more.

🇮🇹 The Italian Times

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Thursday 07 May 2026 05:51:30 GMT