Russian Ambassador Attends Putin's 5th Inauguration Ceremony... Many from US and Europe Absent

Decision to Attend After Last-Minute Deliberation
Possibility of Restoring Bilateral Relations Considered
Most Western Countries Including US and UK Abstain
Putin: Dialogue with West Only Under Equal Conditions
Navalny's Wife Strongly Criticizes Putin

[Image source=Yonhap News]

South Korean Ambassador to Russia Lee Do-hoon attended the fifth inauguration ceremony of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ambassadors from countries classified as Russia's 'unfriendly nations,' such as the United States and the United Kingdom, did not attend.

On the 7th (local time), Ambassador Lee attended President Putin's fifth inauguration ceremony held in the Andreevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia. The embassy in Russia, which had not decided whether to attend the ceremony until the day before, reportedly decided to participate after much deliberation.

The Kremlin announced the day before that President Putin's inauguration would be considered a 'domestic event' and that invitations were not sent to foreign heads of state. However, all heads of diplomatic missions stationed in Russia, including those from friendly and unfriendly countries, were invited.

Earlier, after Russia began its war with Ukraine in February 2022, it designated many countries participating in sanctions against Russia as unfriendly nations. South Korea was also classified as an unfriendly nation in March 2022, along with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and European Union (EU) member states.

Nevertheless, the attendance of the South Korean ambassador at the inauguration is interpreted as a sign of keeping the possibility of restoring Korea-Russia relations open amid the new Cold War structure between the U.S.-Japan-South Korea bloc and the North Korea-China-Russia bloc. Georgy Zinoviev, Russian Ambassador to South Korea, also named South Korea as "the most friendly country among the unfriendly nations." At Ambassador Lee's credential presentation ceremony in December last year, President Putin stated, "Whether bilateral cooperation returns to a mutually beneficial relationship depends on South Korea," adding, "Russia is ready."

President Putin, who officially began his term, emphasized 'unity' during the inauguration ceremony. He said, "Russia will endure this difficult and important period with dignity and become stronger," and stressed, "We can have dialogues with the West on security and strategic stability, but only on equal terms." He also stated that he would join forces with allied countries to form a multipolar order.

Meanwhile, Ukraine urged several countries to boycott the inauguration, stating there is no legal basis to recognize President Putin as a democratically elected president. In response, ambassadors from several European countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Spain, Italy, and Austria, notified Russia of their non-attendance. Josep Borrell, the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also expressed opposition to attending President Putin's inauguration the day before. Seven countries, including France, Hungary, and Slovakia, decided to attend.

Yulia Navalnaya, wife of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny who died in prison last February, targeted President Putin on this day, saying, "Our country is led by liars, thieves, and murderers," and criticized, "The foundation of the Putin regime is lies and corruption."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.