Editing Vladimir Putin (section)

=== 2024–present: Fifth presidential term ===
[[File:Телеобращение Путина 23 марта 2024 года.webm|thumb|Putin's speech on the [[Crocus City Hall attack]] on 23 March 2024]]
[[File:President of Vietnam To Lam held an official welcoming ceremony for Vladimir Putin (2024).jpg|thumb|Putin and Vietnamese president [[Tô Lâm]] in Hanoi, Vietnam, June 2024]]
[[File:2024 BRICS Summit (1729758533).jpg|thumb|Putin with heads of delegations at the [[16th BRICS summit]] in [[Kazan]], Russia in October 2024]]
Putin won the [[2024 Russian presidential election]] with 88% of the vote. International observers did not consider the election to be [[Free and fair election|free or fair]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Alexei Navalny: Widow urges Russians to protest on election day |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68479832 |access-date=15 March 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=6 March 2024 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315124841/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68479832 |url-status=live}}</ref> with Putin having increased political repressions after launching his [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|full-scale war with Ukraine]] in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Andrew |last2=Sauer |first2=Pjotr |title=A forever war, more repression, Putin for life? Russia's bleak post-election outlook |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/15/a-forever-war-more-repression-vladimir-putin-for-life-russias-bleak-post-election-outlook |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318054303/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/15/a-forever-war-more-repression-vladimir-putin-for-life-russias-bleak-post-election-outloo |archive-date=18 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="tmt-87.28">{{cite news |title=Putin Wins 87.28% of Votes With All Ballots Counted – Election Officials |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/03/18/putin-wins-8728-of-votes-with-all-ballots-counted-election-officials-a84515 |work=The Moscow Times |date=18 March 2024 |language=en |access-date=19 March 2024 |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319032009/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/03/18/putin-wins-8728-of-votes-with-all-ballots-counted-election-officials-a84515 |url-status=live}}</ref> The elections were also held in the [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine]].<ref name="tmt-87.28"/> There were reports of [[Electoral fraud|irregularities]], including [[ballot stuffing]] and coercion,<ref>Robyn Dixon, Siobhán O'Grady, David L. Stern, Serhii Korolchuk and Serhiy Morgunov, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/16/putin-election-voting-gunpoint-occupied-ukraine/ For Putin's election in occupied Ukraine, voting is forced at gunpoint] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317041955/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/16/putin-election-voting-gunpoint-occupied-ukraine/ |date=17 March 2024 }}, ''Washington Post;'' (16 March 2024).</ref> with statistical analysis suggesting unprecedented levels of fraud in the 2024 elections.<ref>{{cite news |title=At least 22 million fake votes cast for Putin in presidential election |url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2024/03/19/at-least-22-million-fake-votes-cast-for-putin-in-presidential-election-en-news |work=[[Novaya Gazeta]] |date=19 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="Le Monde">{{cite news |title=The extent of fraud in Russia's presidential election begins to emerge |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/03/20/the-extent-of-fraud-in-russia-s-presidential-election-begins-to-emerge_6638830_4.html |work=[[Le Monde]] |date=20 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Putin 2024 - Meduza breaks down the evidence pointing to the most fraudulent elections in modern Russian history |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2024/03/21/putin-2024 |work=[[Meduza]] |date=20 March 2024}}</ref> In March 2024, the [[Crocus City Hall attack]] took place, causing the deaths of 145 people and injuring 551 more.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2024 |title=Death toll from concert hall attack in Russia's Moscow region rises to 144 |website=AA |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/death-toll-from-concert-hall-attack-in-russia-s-moscow-region-rises-to-144/3178519}}</ref><ref name="360-injured">{{cite news |title=Number of Wounded in Crocus City Hall Attack Rises to 360 |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/03/27/number-of-wounded-in-crocus-city-hall-attack-rises-to-360-a84642 |access-date=27 March 2024 |publisher=The Moscow Times |date=27 March 2024 |archive-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327130616/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/03/27/number-of-wounded-in-crocus-city-hall-attack-rises-to-360-a84642 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was the deadliest terrorist attack on Russian soil since the [[Beslan school siege]] in 2004.<ref name="Belam-2024">{{cite news |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=23 March 2024 |title=Moscow concert hall attack: Putin tells Russians Ukraine linked to attack which killed 115, claims denied by Kyiv officials – live updates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/mar/23/moscow-concert-attack-crocus-city-hall-shooting-russia-live-updates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323093345/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/mar/23/moscow-concert-attack-crocus-city-hall-shooting-russia-live-updates |archive-date=23 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/vladimir-putin-autocrat-election-terrorism/ |title=Putin the autocrat comes of age |date=30 March 2024 |first=Eva |last=Hartog |website=Politico}}</ref>

In May 2024, Putin [[Fifth inauguration of Vladimir Putin|was inaugurated as president of Russia]] for the fifth time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vladimir Putin Takes Oath as President of Russia for Record Fifth Time (Watch Video) |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/vladimir-putin-takes-oath-as-president-of-russia-for-record-fifth-time-watch-video-a517/ |website=Lokmat Times |access-date=7 May 2024}}</ref> According to analysts, replacing Sergei Shoigu with [[Andrey Belousov]] as defense minister signals that Putin wanted to transform the economy into a [[war economy]] and is "preparing for many more years of war".<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine war: Putin's choice of new defense chief reveals strategy ahead of summer offensive |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ruble-bullet-vladimir-putin-put-economist-andrei-belousov-charge-military-sergei-shoigu/ |work=Politico |date=13 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Roth |first=Andrew |last2=Sauer |first2=Pjotr |date=14 May 2024 |title=Andrei Belousov: Putin picks trusted technocrat to run defence ministry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/14/andrei-belousov-putin-picks-trusted-technocrat-to-run-defence-ministry |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Four Russian sources told Reuters that Putin was ready to end the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that would recognize Russia's war gains and [[Frozen conflict|freeze the war]] on the then front lines, as Putin wanted to avoid unpopular steps such as further [[2022 Russian mobilization|mobilization]] and increased war spending.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vladimir Putin ready to 'freeze' war in Ukraine with ceasefire recognising recent Russian gains, sources say |url=https://news.sky.com/story/vladimir-putin-ready-to-freeze-war-in-ukraine-with-ceasefire-recognising-recent-russian-gains-sources-say-13142402 |work=Sky News |date=24 May 2024}}</ref>

In August 2024, Putin pardoned American journalist [[Evan Gershkovich]], opposition figures [[Vladimir Kara-Murza]], [[Ilya Yashin]] and others  in a [[prisoner swap]] with western countries.<ref name="f24">{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwJPJR3LfwI |title=Putin's ominous message: 'We can kill people in broad daylight in EU, we'll take care of our people' |date=2 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="tg1">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/02/kremlin-admits-vadim-krasikov-is-an-russian-state-assassin |title=Kremlin admits Vadim Krasikov is a Russian state assassin |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=2 August 2024 |last1=Walker |first1=Shaun |last2=Cole |first2=Deborah}}</ref><ref name="rfe1">{{cite news |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-prisoner-swap-terrorism-espionage-putin/33061336.html |title=Beyond the Elation, Putin's Prisoner Swap Has Ominous Implications |newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=3 August 2024 |last1=Coalson |first1=Robert}}</ref> The [[2024 Ankara prisoner exchange]] was the most extensive between Russia and United States since the end of the Cold War, involving the release of 26 people.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2024 |title=Things to know about the largest US-Russia prisoner swap in post-Soviet history |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-whelan-prisoner-swap-354df585ad321ecdbea4c0f2c557f0aa |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=AP News |quote=The U.S. and Russia on Thursday completed their largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history... |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802233705/https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-whelan-prisoner-swap-354df585ad321ecdbea4c0f2c557f0aa |url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2024, Putin warned the West that if attacked with conventional weapons Russia would consider a [[Nuclear warfare|nuclear retaliation]],<ref>{{cite news |title=The Unthinkable: What Nuclear War In Europe Would Look Like |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/nuclear-war-europe-russia-ukraine/33137063.html |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=27 September 2024}}</ref> in an apparent deviation from the [[no first use]] doctrine.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Vladimir Putin warns west he will consider using nuclear weapons |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/25/vladimir-putin-warns-west-nuclear-weapons |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Pjotr |last=Sauer |date=25 September 2024 |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> Putin went on to threaten nuclear powers that if they supported another country's attack on Russia, then they would be considered participants in such an aggression.<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin's nuclear red line: Does he actually mean it? |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/putins-nuclear-read-line-does-he-actually-mean-it/ |work=[[Euractiv]] |date=27 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Putin's nuclear threats: empty rhetoric or a shift in battlefield strategy? |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240927-vladimir-putin-nuclear-weapons-declaration-more-than-an-empty-threat-ukraine-nato-us-war |work=[[France 24]] |date=27 September 2024}}</ref> Russia and the United States are the world's biggest [[List of states with nuclear weapons|nuclear powers]], holding 88% of the world's [[nuclear weapon]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin outlines new rules for Russian use of vast nuclear arsenal |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/26/putin-outlines-new-rules-for-russian-use-of-vast-nuclear-arsenal |work=Al Jazeera |date=26 September 2024}}</ref> Putin has made implicit [[Nuclear risk during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|nuclear threats]] since the outbreak of war against Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |title=The US tests Putin's nuclear threats in Ukraine |url=https://www.vox.com/world-politics/353796/us-weapons-ukraine-russia-putin-escalation-nuclear |work=Vox |date=5 January 2024}}</ref> Experts say Putin's announcement was aimed at dissuading the US, UK and France from allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles such as the [[Storm Shadow]] and [[ATACMS]] in [[Attacks in Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|strikes against Russia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin lowers bar for nuclear strike amid Ukraine attacks: Why it matters |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/26/putin-lowers-bar-for-nuclear-strike-amid-ukraine-attacks-why-it-matters |work=Al Jazeera |date=26 September 2024}}</ref>

In April 2025, US President [[Donald Trump]] criticized Putin's determination to continue the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|war against Ukraine]] despite the horrific [[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War|death toll]] and called for a [[Peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|peace deal]], posting on social media: "Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!"<ref>{{cite news |title='Vladimir, STOP!' Trump says to Putin after deadliest Russian strike on Kyiv in months |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/russia-launches-massive-deadly-strike-kyiv-ukrainian-authorities/story?id=121113739 |work=ABC News |date=24 April 2025}}</ref> Putin rejected a proposal by the United States and Ukraine for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.<ref>{{cite news |title=Has Ukraine finally convinced Washington to stand by Kyiv's side? |url=https://www.euronews.com/2025/05/09/has-ukraine-finally-convinced-washington-to-stand-by-kyiv-side |work=Euronews |date=9 May 2025}}</ref> In May 2025, Putin attended the [[2025 Moscow Victory Day Parade|Victory Day parade]] in Moscow with Chinese President [[Xi Jinping]], Brazilian President [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva|Lula da Silva]] and other foreign leaders.<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin prepares to host dozens of world leaders for Victory Day parade in major PR coup for Moscow |url=https://news.sky.com/story/putin-prepares-to-host-dozens-of-world-leaders-for-victory-day-parade-in-major-pr-coup-for-moscow-13363614 |work=Sky News |date=8 May 2025}}</ref>