The US and most European Union countries announced that they will boycott Putin’s inauguration

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Western Governments to Boycott Putin’s Inauguration, Canada and EU Among Those Absent

As Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares for his inauguration ceremony for a new six-year presidential term in the Kremlin on Tuesday, a number of Western governments have announced they will boycott the event.

The United States, Canada, and the majority of European Union (EU) countries will not have a representative at the ceremony, citing concerns over the legitimacy of Putin’s re-election. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the U.S. did not consider the elections to be free and fair, but acknowledged Putin as the president of Russia.

Canada echoed this sentiment, confirming that it would not attend the ceremony. Additionally, an EU spokesman announced that the bloc’s ambassador to Russia would not be present, aligning with the position of most member states.

Despite the widespread boycott, France and several other EU countries are expected to send representatives. This varying diplomatic response underscores the continuing divide among Western powers on how to engage with Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.

Ukraine, a key player in the conflict with Russia, has also rejected Putin’s re-election, labeling him as the architect of the invasion. Putin, who has been in power for over two decades, was declared the winner of a fifth term in March with over 87% of the vote.

The ceremony, set to take place on Tuesday in the historic St. Andrew’s Hall in the Kremlin, comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations. Russia recently announced tactical nuclear weapons drills, prompting concerns and warnings from the UK about potential attacks against British military bases.

With international scrutiny intensifying, Putin’s continuation in power remains a contentious issue, with calls for non-recognition from key figures like Alexei Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya. As the ceremony approaches, the geopolitical landscape is fraught with uncertainty and diplomatic challenges for both Russia and the Western world.