Most world leaders weren’t in attendance at Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony Tuesday, but that’s OK because the Russian leader had B-list action movie stars, a pop star dressed of leather and a resident Chechen lawn gnome/dictator. Ramzan Kadyrov to encourage him.
In total, six European Union countries sent envoys to attend the inauguration ceremony, including France, whose president recently floated the idea of sending troops to Ukraine. Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Malta and Cyprus were also represented at the Kremlin ceremony, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Most other countries chose to boycott the event, with Estonia’s foreign minister issuing a public statement reminder on X, Putin may be Russia’s leader, but he’s also “wanted for war crimes.”
Allegations of war crimes, of course, do not live up to the Under siege Navy SEAL kicker Casey Ryback, otherwise known as washed-up action star Steven Seagal, an avid fan of the Russian president. Images released by state media on Tuesday showed Seagal, in his trademark tunic and tinted glasses, greeting guests in the Andreyevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
“He’s the greatest world leader, he’s the greatest,” Seagal told reporters. Asked what he would tell Americans about Putin’s record fifth term, he replied: “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Among the guests, in accordance with tradition, are heads of regions, heroes of Russia, religious representatives, figures of science and culture, as well as Steven Seagal,” a Russian newspaper said, breaking down the guest list.
Ultra-patriotic pop star Shaman, real name Yaroslav Dronov, was also spotted at the ceremony, looking freshly bleached in a suit and tie rather than his usual head-to-toe leather outfit. Known for grating hits like “I’m Russian” and “My Fight,” he marveled at the crowd supposedly “beaming with happiness” as a long line of blank-faced guests made their way to the exits behind him.
Also present was Sergei Roldugin, a cellist friend of Putin who was named in the Panama Papers as a Kremlin moneyman responsible for moving billions through a network of bank accounts and offshore companies. Roldugin was spotted rubbing shoulders with fellow Putin ally Gennady Timchenko.
A selfie of a cannibal and a double murderer that sums up the war in Ukraine
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov – who is reportedly battling a terminal illness, according to recent reports – was also shown on a live broadcast struggling down the stairs and then flatly refusing to take off his own coat. Putin’s self-proclaimed foot soldier told a reporter that he barely slept the night before because he was so excited to see Vladimir Vladimirovich sworn in for a fifth term.
“Everything is very good. We have nothing to fear as long as we have such a leader,” he said, adding that Western sanctions had taught Russia to thrive instead of just survive.
Everything must be great, really. But don’t just take Kadyrov’s word for it, look to the YouTube comments section, where Russian media have scraped the bottom of the barrel to find praise for Putin from random commenters.
“GOD SAVE RUSSIA 4EVER!!!!! » said Jenny.
“How many push-ups can Putin do?” ” asks Close_all_Tabs, helpfully replying: “Answer: all. »
See? See? Six more years of Putin. Everything is very good.
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