Medvedev sworn in, but Putin still holds power in Russia

Post-Soviet Russia entered uncharted territory yesterday, as Dmitry Medvedev became President in an opulent ceremony in the Kremlin. He promised to focus on civil rights and the rule of law, using rhetoric markedly different to that of his predecessor, Vladimir Putin.

"My most important aims will be to protect civil and economic freedoms," said Mr Medvedev. "We must fight for a true respect of the law and overcome legal nihilism, which seriously hampers modern development."

The ceremony, which was broadcast live on national television, was attended by 2,400 VIPs including politicians, religious leaders and diplomats. Foreign media were not invited. Mr Medvedev walked along the red carpet to the impressive Andreyevsky Hall as the Kremlin clocks struck midday.

Mr Putin spoke first, briefly summing up his eight years in office and wishing Mr Medvedev success in his new post. "Eight years ago, when I first took the presidential oath, I took upon myself the responsibility of working openly and honestly, and to faithfully serve the people and the state," said Mr Putin. "I didn't break my promise."

He seemed to warn Mr Medvedev against deviating too much from current Kremlin policy. "It is very important for everyone to continue the course we have started already, and which has proved right."

Nevertheless, there was a different tone to Mr Medvedev's words, emphasising freedom and the rule of law, themes he has cautiously introduced into his post-election speeches. Mr Medvedev also steered clear of the bullish foreign policy rhetoric for which his predecessor has become famous. Many Western leaders are hoping for a gentler line from the new President, but one of Mr Medvedev's first tasks will be to oversee tomorrow's Victory Day parade on Red Square, a Soviet-era ceremony that Mr Putin ordered revived this year. The parade is likely to be taken as a strong signal to the West that Russia will continue its assertive foreign policy.

Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the Duma Foreign Affairs Committee, told Russia Today television he expected "no big changes" in foreign policy. "Bigger changes will take place in our domestic policy," said Mr Kosachev. "The freedoms and rights of Russian citizens will be the first priority for Mr Medvedev."

Within two hours of becoming President, Mr Medvedev had already nominated Mr Putin's candidature for the post of Prime Minister. The Communists plan to oppose the appointment when it is put to the vote tomorrow, but with the support of the United Russia party, which Mr Putin now leads and which has an overwhelming majority in the parliament, his accession is a foregone conclusion. Analysts expect Mr Putin to have a powerful, possibly even dominant, role in the new arrangement.

After the ceremony, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church conducted a prayer service for Mr Medvedev in the Kremlin's Archangel Cathedral. Later he was photographed receiving the "nuclear suitcase", and he now has the presidential fleet of four aircraft at his disposal.

*The European Union has expressed concern over the increase in Russian troops in Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia. Officials have urged Russia to respect Georgia's borders and peacefully resolve its differences. Russia has long backed Abkhazian independence, and recently enlarged its peacekeeping contingent along the border between Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia.

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