Germany and the vast majority of European Union member states are to refrain from attending a Kremlin ceremony commemorating Vladimir Putin’s inauguration for a new six-year term. This stance coincides with an appeal from Kyiv urging Western allies to boycott the event.
The varying responses from Western powers underscore the divergent opinions on how to engage with the Russian leader, particularly in the wake of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
It remains uncertain whether the United States or Britain will be represented at the ceremony on Tuesday, especially following Russia’s announcement of tactical nuclear weapons drills aimed at tempering tensions in the West.
Putin secured a landslide victory in a presidential election held in March, mere weeks after the demise of his most prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny, in prison.
The re-election drew condemnation from Western governments, who deemed it unfair and undemocratic.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry vehemently opposes the recognition of Putin as the legitimately elected president of the Russian Federation, citing his role in transforming Russia into an aggressor state and establishing a dictatorial regime.
Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony is viewed by Kyiv as an attempt to legitimise Putin’s prolonged grip on power, a move met with staunch opposition from Ukraine and some Western allies.
A senior Kremlin official extended invitations to the heads of all foreign diplomatic missions in Moscow to attend Putin’s inauguration, as reported by Interfax news agency.
According to sources, 20 EU member states plan to boycott the event, while seven others are expected to send representatives. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, voiced his opposition to the bloc’s participation in the ceremony.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it would not be represented, aligning with the stance of several European diplomats who anticipate the absence of a U.S. envoy, despite the lack of a public announcement from Washington.
However, reflecting the discord within Western nations regarding Russia policy, France intends to send its ambassador to the event.
France’s decision is contextualised by its prior condemnation of the electoral process in Russia, characterised by repression and a lack of genuine choice, as well as the organisation of elections in Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation, deemed violations of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Recent months have witnessed a deterioration in Franco-Russian relations, coinciding with Paris’s heightened support for Ukraine.
President Emmanuel Macron’s recent statement not ruling out the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine further underscores France’s evolving stance towards the conflict.
The Baltic states, which no longer maintain diplomatic missions in Moscow, have unequivocally rejected attendance at Putin’s inauguration.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis emphasised the importance of continuing Russia’s isolation, particularly under its current leadership, stressing Lithuania’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine in its resistance against Russian aggression.
As diplomatic rifts deepen within the Western bloc over engagement with Russia, the ramifications of attendance or abstention at Putin’s swearing-in ceremony extend beyond symbolic gestures, reflecting broader geopolitical strategies and alliances.
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[…] mobilisation to Putin. They suggested that it be carried out before his so-called “inauguration.” However, Putin declined, opting instead to rely on volunteers signing contracts to serve in […]