Putin immediately vowed to defend democratic principles and a free media in his second term while leading a foreign policy based on compromise rather than "imperialist ambitions."

"I promise that the democratic accomplishments of our people will be unconditionally defended and guaranteed," Putin said in televised remarks early Monday from his campaign headquarters near the Kremlin.

"We will not stop with our accomplishments and will strengthen a multi-party system. We will strengthen civic society and do everything to ensure freedom of the mass media," Putin said.

He led with 71.2 percent of the vote with 97 percent of the ballots counted -- a massive jump on the 52.5 percent he won in 2000 after succeeding the tumultuous era of his ailing mentor Boris Yeltsin.