Vladimir Putin launched his fourth term as Russian President on Monday, extending his 18-year rule. <br />Also, as widely expected, Putin put forward his long-time associate Dmitry Medvedev to continue as prime minister.<br />Ro Aram has the details. <br /> Putin was sworn in at a lavish ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace after winning more than 70 percent of the vote in presidential elections two months ago.<br />Speaking after the inauguration, Putin vowed to improve living standards and to breathe life into Russia's stagnant economy.<br /><br /> "But now we must use all the opportunities available - first of all to reach the internal, the most essential development goals, for the economic, technology breakthrough, for raising competitive ability in those spheres which determine the future. A new quality of life, a well-being, security and health of a person are the most important. These are the issues at the center of our policy."<br /><br /> His pledge comes at a time when the Russian people are increasingly showing discontent over the country's economy and increasing wage gap.<br />More than a thousand people across the country were arrested over the weekend after anti-Putin protests turned violent. <br />His drive to the inauguration along a completely blocked-off road also seemed to show he had lost touch with the public. <br /><br /> "If I'm honest, I am ashamed of what is happening here in Russia. And specifically for today's inauguration: from the morning everything was totally blocked up, police were everywhere and the inauguration it should be… if you compare it with the inaugurations of democratic countries - here I saw no joy or happiness in this moment."<br /><br /> Besides restoring the Russian people's trust, Putin also has the task of building trust with the west.<br />Relations with the U.S. and Europe have reached a near cold-war low, mostly due to Russia's alleged meddling in western elections, the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain and Moscow's support for the Assad regime in Syria. <br /> Despite the setbacks, Putin seemed optimistic, saying Russia has always revived itself like a phoenix.<br />Ro Aram, Arirang News. <br />
