The inauguration took place on November 30, 1999. The event was held for the first time not in the premises of the Verkhovna Rada due to Kuchma's difficult relationship with the deputies, but in the "Ukraine Palace" in the presence of more than ten foreign delegations. Among the foreign guests from 21 countries, eight presidents were present (Uzbekistan, Slovakia, Poland, Moldova, Turkey, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Belarus).
At this inauguration, the newly elected head of state received for the first time the badge, mace and seal of the President of Ukraine, which later became a mandatory element of the inauguration ceremony.