V.V. Putin's Speech at the Formal Inauguration Ceremony as President of Russia (May 7, 2024) V.V. Putin: In these solemn and responsible moments of inauguration as President, I want to heartily thank the citizens of Russia from all regions of our country, the residents of our historical lands who defended the right to be together with the homeland. I want to bow to our heroes, participants in the special military operation, all those who fight for the homeland. Once again, thank you for the trust and support you have given me, and now I address every citizen of Russia. We have been and will be open to strengthening good relations with all countries that see Russia as a reliable and honest partner. This is truly the global majority. We do not refuse dialogue with Western states. The choice is theirs: do they intend to continue trying to restrain Russia's development, to continue a policy of aggression, years of unrelenting pressure on our country, or seek a path to cooperation and peace. I repeat: discussion, including on security and strategic stability, is possible. But not from a position of strength, without any arrogance, conceit, and proprietary exceptionalism, but only on equal terms, respecting each other's interests. Together with our partners in Eurasian integration, with other sovereign centers of development, we will continue to work on forming a multipolar world order, an equal and indivisible security system. In a complex world that is rapidly changing, we need to be self-sufficient and competitive, to open new horizons for Russia, as has happened several times in our history. We look forward confidently, plan our future, outline and are already implementing new projects and programs designed to make our development even more dynamic, even more powerful. We are a united and great people, and together we will overcome all obstacles, realize all that we have planned. Together we will prevail!