Putin to take oath, West boycotts ceremony

The US and most EU countries will boycott the Kremlin ceremony to swear in Vladimir Putin for a new six-year presidential term.
The ceremony starts at 12:00 local time, Russian state media reported.
France, Hungary and the Czech Republic are expected to send envoys, despite Kiev's request.
"No, we will not have a representative at his inauguration," said Matthew Miller, a U.S. State Department spokesman. "We certainly don't consider this election to be free and fair, but he is the president of Russia and will continue to act in that capacity."
An EU spokesman, for his part, said, "Our ambassador will not be present, and neither will most member states." Britain and Canada also declined to send their diplomats.
Putin won his election convincingly in March, weeks after his most prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny, died under mysterious circumstances in a penal colony. Western leaders described the election as unfair and undemocratic.
After being sworn in today, the Russian president will address the nation. /BGNES