Allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin have expressed their congratulations on his recent electoral victory, while Western leaders have criticized the process as ‘illegal’.
China has extended its congratulations to Putin, emphasizing the strong strategic partnership between China and Russia. A foreign ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, highlighted the ongoing commitment between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin to foster a close relationship and strategic coordination.
The former Russian leader, Dmitry Medvedev, congratulated Putin on Telegram for his “splendid victory in the election,” well ahead of the final tally.
The Bosnian Serb leader, Milorad Dodik, expressed the Serb people’s joy over Putin’s win, praising him as a significant statesman and a reliable friend.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also celebrated Putin’s win, suggesting it is a positive sign for the global community.
In contrast, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the election’s legitimacy, accusing Putin of power abuse and warning of his potential to cause harm to maintain control.
Britain’s foreign minister, David Cameron, criticized the elections for lacking voter choice and independent monitoring by the OSCE, stating that these conditions do not meet the standards of a free and fair election.
Echoing this sentiment, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani declared the elections neither free nor fair, while reaffirming Italy’s commitment to achieving peace and ending the conflict with Ukraine.
The Czech Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavsky, described the election as a sham, highlighting the suppression of civil society, media, and opposition in Russia.
