Insignia of Russian President

In March 1990 the Third Extraordinary Congress of Soviet People's Deputies adopted the Law on the Institution of the Post of President and Introduction of Amendments into the Constitution of the U.S.S.R. These amendments abolished the "leading and guiding role of the CPSU," declared a multi-party system, and made the President the head of the Soviet state. Other Union republics followed suit, and switched to presidential form of government.

On March 17, 1991 the national referendum instituted the post of the President of the Russian Federation. 70 % of the voters supported the idea. At a joint session on April 24, 1991 the two chambers of the Russian Supreme Soviet adopted the law "On the President of the Russian Federation."

On August 5, 1996 the Russian President signed a decree on the insignia of presidential power: the Standard (instituted in February 1994), the Presidential Emblem, and the Special (unique) Copy of the Russian Constitution.

The Standard (Flag) of the President of Russia is the main attribute of presidential authority, and consists of a rectangular cloth of three equal horizontal stripes: white at the top, blue in the middle, and red at the bottom (colors of the State Flag of Russia). The gold depiction of the State Emblem of Russia is in the center. The cloth is flanked by golden fringe.

The staff of the Standard carries a silver staple with the engraved family name, given name, and patronymic of the Russian President and the dates of his term in office. The staff is topped with a metal spire.

Together with the Emblem of the President, and the Special Copy of the Constitution, the Standard is handed over to the newly elected President during the inauguration ceremony.

After the President takes his oath of service, the Standard is installed in his office, while a replica is raised above the President's residence in the Kremlin.

The Emblem of the President of Russia consists of the Emblem and the chain of the Emblem.

The golden Emblem is a Greek cross covered with ruby enamel on the front.  The front of the cross bears the plated image of the State Emblem of Russia in the center.

The back of the cross has a round medallion in the middle, carrying the motto "Value, Honor, and Glory." Laurel leaves are at the bottom. The wreath of laurels connects the Emblem with its chain.

A 17-link chain is made of gold, silver, and enamel. Nine links carry the image of the State Emblem of Russia, and eight are rounded rosettes with the motto: "Value, Honor, and Glory." The reverse sides of the links bear white enamel plates on which the name of each Russian President and his inauguration day are engraved in gold letters.

After the President takes his oath of service, the Emblem is installed in his residence in the Moscow Kremlin.

Another official attribute of presidential power is a specially printed unique copy of the official text of the Constitution.

During the inauguration ceremony the newly elected President takes an oath of service on the Special Copy of the Constitution.

Inauguration of the President

In Russia, the inauguration ceremony is a new tradition. It started on March 14, 1990, when the Third Congress of People's Deputies of the U.S.S.R. elected Mikhail Gorbachev the first and only President in Soviet history. He took his oath of service on the same day.

Boris Yeltsin, the first President of Russia, was elected by popular vote on June 12, 1991, and officially took office on July 10 at the Congress of People's Deputies. Yeltsin took the oath of service, whereby he pledged that during his term in office he would "respect and protect the rights and liberties of every citizen; observe and protect the Constitution of the Russian Federation; protect the sovereignty and independence, security and integrity of the state, and serve the people faithfully."

After the Chimes of the Kremlin's Savior Tower played the National Anthem, Boris Yeltsin emerged in the hall of the State Kremlin Palace to the fanfare of trumpets. Chairman of the Central Election Commission Nikolai Ryabov read out the Commission's resolution and handed the new president a certificate of his election. Chairman of the Constitutional Court Vladimir Tumanov administered the oath of service in conformity with the Constitution of Russia. Having put his right hand on the Constitution, Boris Yeltsin read out the oath of service to the Russian people. The Standard of the President was raised above the cupola of the Kremlin presidential residence to the sounds of the National Anthem.

Moscow and all-Russian Patriarch Alexy II blessed Boris Yeltsin into the office. "Glory" by composer Mikhail Glinka and artillery salvos crowned the ceremony.

This was the birth of the symbols of the new Russia.

Later, the President instituted the Presidential Standard and Emblem. These new insignia were present at Boris Yeltsin's second inauguration ceremony on July 3, 1996.

The inauguration of Vladimir Putin, elected by popular vote at the early elections on March 26, 2000, took place on May 7, 2000.

The inauguration ceremony started at 11.45 a.m. For the first time in recent years, the presidential motorcade entered the Kremlin though the Savior Gates, which had been shut for cars before. At noon Vladimir Putin walked to the fanfare of trumpets into the St. Andrew Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. The first President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin had entered the same Hall a minute earlier. Shortly before, army servicemen dressed in the uniforms of the Russian soldiers of the 1812 Patriotic War had brought the National Flag of the Russian Federation, and the Presidential Standard, the Special Copy of the Constitution, and the Presidential Emblem.

Having put his right hand on the Constitution, Vladimir Putin took the oath of service: "In performing my duties as the President of the Russian Federation, I pledge to respect and protect the rights and liberties of every citizen; to observe and protect the Constitution of the Russian Federation; to protect the sovereignty and independence, security and integrity of the state and to serve the people faithfully." After this the Chairman of the Constitutional Court Marat Baglai officially declared that Vladimir Putin had entered the office of the head of state. After the President took the oath of service, a replica of the Presidential Standard was raised above the Presidential residence in the Kremlin.

After the inauguration ceremony, the new President of Russia heard the report of the Presidential Regiment Commander at the Cathedral Square.

At the presidential elections on March 14, 2004 Vladimir Putin was elected President of Russia for the second term. He was inaugurated again in the Kremlin on May 7, 2004.