(CN) — Inside the gilded halls of the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in Tuesday for another six-year term against a backdrop of battlefield gains by his troops in Ukraine, a chilling escalation of tensions with the West and solid support inside Russia.
Putin's inauguration, boycotted by most Western governments, took place inside the Grand Kremlin Palace and came two days before the Russian leader will preside over military parades for Victory Day, a deeply symbolic holiday to celebrate the Soviet win over Nazi Germany in World War II.
In a brief and somber speech, Putin praised his soldiers fighting in Ukraine and vowed to lead his country to victory and prosperity by looking after Russia's national security and interests, preserving its “centuries-old family values and traditions” and forging ties with friendly countries.
He also said Russia was open to talks with the West, but “on an equal footing and with respect for each other’s interests.”
“You, the citizens of Russia, have confirmed that the country is on the right course,” Putin said. “This is of great importance right now, as we face serious challenges. I see this as your deep awareness of our common historical goals, and unwavering resolve to defend our choices, our values, our freedom and Russia’s national interests.”
The war in Ukraine has entered a tremendously dangerous and uncertain phase that may even veer toward a direct conflict between Russia and NATO as Western leaders consider how best to ensure Ukrainian forces don't collapse in the face of Russia's superior military might.
The situation for Ukraine has become dire, Western and Ukrainian officials acknowledge. Each day brings new reports of Ukrainian troop losses and surrenders, retreats and lack of ammunition and equipment. In the West, hopes rest with the recent passage of $61 billion in U.S. military aid for Ukraine, but the package won't solve Ukraine's problems with a shortage of troops.
Increasingly, it even seems possible that Western troops may be sent into Ukraine to fight. In recent days, Russian sources, citing an Asia Times article by a former U.S. deputy undersecretary of defense, claimed troops with the French Foreign Legion had been sent close to the front lines, though France's defense ministry denied that.
Still, France, Poland, Finland and the Baltic nations have not ruled out sending troops to Ukraine and there is growing evidence that Western military officials, often acting as advisers, are becoming more active on the ground in Ukraine.
In recent weeks, French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly confirmed he would not rule out sending troops to Ukraine because, in his words, Europe cannot afford to allow Russia to win. But NATO allies, including Berlin, London and Washington, have dismissed sending forces, saying the risk of war with Russia is too great.
But the rhetoric from Western officials is becoming more confrontational.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron drew an angry response from Russia after he said Britain would not object to Ukraine using British-supplied missiles to strike inside Russia. Previously, Britain had only backed striking Russian targets inside Ukrainian territory.
“Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it's defending itself,” Cameron said during a visit to Kyiv last Thursday.
Poland has angered Moscow by voicing interest in receiving U.S. nuclear weapons. In the European Union, Russia is increasingly accused of carrying out aggressive actions. Baltic nations say Russia is disrupting flights by interfering with air traffic navigation by jamming global positioning systems.
Germany blames Moscow for being behind recent cyberattacks on the governing Social Democratic Party and against defense, aerospace, and high-tech companies.
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