Russia's Putin begins new presidential term, keeps Medvedev as PM

President Vladimir Putin stuck with his long-serving prime minister in his first act after being sworn in for a new term on Monday, signaling that he would keep faith with a policy direction that has brought Russia into conflict with the West.

Standing in the ornately-decorated Andreyevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, with his hand on a gold-embossed copy of the constitution, Putin, 65, swore to serve the Russian people, to safeguard rights and freedoms, and protect Russian sovereignty.

Soon after the inauguration ceremony, the Kremlin issued a statement saying that Putin had nominated Dmitry Medvedev again to be prime minister in his new term. Medvedev, a loyal Putin lieutenant, has held the job since 2012.