Western governments have condemned Vladimir Putin's landslide election victory as unfair and undemocratic, while China, India, and North Korea congratulated the veteran Russian leader on extending his rule by a further six years. The contrasting reactions underscore the geopolitical fault lines that have gaped wider since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, triggering the deepest crisis in relations with the West since the end of the Cold War. EU foreign ministers dismissed the election result as a sham ahead of agreeing sanctions on individuals linked to the mistreatment and death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Russia's election was an election without choice. French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said Paris had taken note of the "special election operation" and that the conditions for a free, pluralistic, and democratic election were not met. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the election outcome highlighted the "depth of repression" in Russia.
France, Britain, and others condemned the fact that Russia held its election in occupied regions of Ukraine that it claims to have annexed during the war. The Kremlin dismissed such criticism, saying the 87% of the vote won by Putin during the three-day election showed that the Russian people were consolidating around him. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia's election had no legitimacy. A White House spokesperson on Sunday said Russia's election was "obviously not free nor fair".
In contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Putin and said Beijing would maintain close communication with Moscow to promote the "no limits" partnership they agreed in 2022, just before Russia invaded Ukraine. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed this message, looking forward to strengthening New Delhi's "time-tested special and privileged strategic partnership" with Moscow.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Russia's election was an election without choice. French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said Paris had taken note of the "special election operation" and that the conditions for a free, pluralistic, and democratic election were not met. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the election outcome highlighted the "depth of repression" in Russia.
France, Britain, and others condemned the fact that Russia held its election in occupied regions of Ukraine that it claims to have annexed during the war. The Kremlin dismissed such criticism, saying the 87% of the vote won by Putin during the three-day election showed that the Russian people were consolidating around him. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia's election had no legitimacy. A White House spokesperson on Sunday said Russia's election was "obviously not free nor fair".
In contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Putin and said Beijing would maintain close communication with Moscow to promote the "no limits" partnership they agreed in 2022, just before Russia invaded Ukraine. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed this message, looking forward to strengthening New Delhi's "time-tested special and privileged strategic partnership" with Moscow.
