The day after the unsurprising re-election of Vladimir Putin as President of Russia, international reactions are pouring in – and congratulations are far from being in order.

“France takes note of the expected result of the presidential election,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

"The electoral process in Russia took place in the context of increased repression against civil society and any form of opposition to the regime, ever-increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and ban on the operation of independent media."

Paris also deplored that "the conditions for a free, pluralist and democratic election" had not been "once again" met in Russia.

The Quai d'Orsay also praised "the courage of the many Russian citizens who peacefully demonstrated their opposition to this attack on their fundamental political rights." 

#Russia |

France takes note of the expected result of the presidential election, by which V. Putin remains President of the Russian Federation for a fifth term.


The electoral process in Russia took place against the backdrop of increased repression in… pic.twitter.com/f1rqohzFhQ

— France Diplomatie🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@francediplo) March 18, 2024

  • European Union

The re-election of Vladimir Putin to the Russian presidency is based on "repression and intimidation", declared Monday, in Brussels, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell.

The presidential election "was not a free and fair vote", it was "based on repression and intimidation", he again underlined, shortly before a meeting of foreign ministers of the 'European Union.

  • Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – whose country has been at war with Russia for more than two years – did not mince his words: "These days, the Russian dictator is once again faking an election. It is obvious to everyone in the world that this character, as has already often happened throughout History, is drunk with power and does everything to rule eternally."

"There is no legitimacy in this sham election and there cannot be any. This person should be on trial in The Hague [seat of the International Criminal Court, Editor's note]. This is what we must ensure."

These days, the Russian dictator imitates another "elections."

Everyone in the world understands that this person, like many others throughout history, has become sick with power and will stop at nothing to rule forever.



There is no evil he would not do to maintain his personal… pic.twitter.com/zu1see37kl

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 17, 2024

  • Germany

“The election in Russia was an election without choice,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday before a meeting with her European Union counterparts in Brussels.

The electoral process shows Putin's "nefarious action against his own people", she added.

“Organizing so-called elections in parts of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova is contrary to international law,” also denounced the head of German diplomacy.

  • UNITED STATES

“These elections are clearly neither free nor fair given that Mr. Putin has imprisoned his political opponents and prevented others from running against him,” responded the spokesperson for the National Security Council of the White House.

The United States also criticized the holding of the vote in the Ukrainian territories occupied by Moscow.

  • United Kingdom

“These Russian elections forcefully underline the extent of the repression exercised by President Putin's regime, which seeks to silence any opposition to its illegal war,” British Foreign Minister David Cameron said in a statement on Monday.

“Putin eliminates his political opponents, controls the media and proclaims himself the winner. This is not democracy,” continued the minister, who deplored on Sunday evening the absence of “free and fair” elections in Russia .

"By illegally holding elections on Ukrainian territory, Russia is demonstrating that it is not interested in finding a path to peace. The UK will continue to provide humanitarian, economic and military aid to the Ukrainians defending their democracy," the British Foreign Office wrote on X.

By illegally holding elections on Ukrainian territory, Russia demonstrates that it is not interested in finding a path to peace.



The UK will continue to provide humanitarian, economic and military aid to Ukrainians defending their democracy.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/tbSj4VKyc3

— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) March 17, 2024

  • Lithuania

Vladimir Putin's re-election lacks legitimacy due to the lack of choice for citizens, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis insisted on Monday.

“In this atmosphere of unfreedom, there cannot be elections,” he declared upon his arrival in Brussels for a meeting with his European Union counterparts.

  • China

“China expresses its congratulations,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters.

“We are confident that under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China-Russia relations will continue to advance.”

  • North Korea

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, sent a congratulatory message to Vladimir Putin on Monday on his re-election, according to the official KCNA news agency.

  • Iran

Iranian President Ebrahim Raïssi welcomed the re-election of his Russian counterpart on Monday.

“The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran sincerely congratulated Vladimir Putin on his solid victory and re-election as President of the Russian Federation,” the official IRNA news agency said.

With AFP and Reuters

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