Vladimir Putin arrives at a glittering Kremlin ceremony on Monday for his inauguration as Russia's new president.<br/> <br />With one hand on the Russian constitution, Putin takes the oath in front of about 2,000 dignitaries.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I swear while fulfilling the obligations of the President of the Russian Federation to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of the people and of the citizens."<br/> <br />Putin appealed for unity in Russia, and pledged to strengthen democracy in his new six-year term.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The security and well-being of the people of our country has always been and always will be above everything for me. I will do all I can to justify the faith of millions of our citizens. I consider it to be the meaning of my whole life and my obligation to serve my fatherland and our people."<br/> <br />But Putin's words come amid widespread protests against what many see as his authoritarian control over the former Soviet state.<br/> <br />Earlier on Monday police detained at least 22 protesters when a crowd of about 40 people started shouting "Russia without Putin" near the Kremlin.<br/> <br />On Sunday hundreds of demonstrators were also arrested, including three opposition leaders - casting doubt over whether Putin is truly committed to fostering a democratic Russia.<br/> <br />Travis Brecher, Reuters
