Re-election of Vladimir Putin in Russia: international reactions also without surprise
His victory was beyond doubt: Vladimir Putin will therefore rule Russia for six more years.
Among the reactions of international leaders, those who denounce a sham election, such as the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell who speaks of a vote based on repression and intimidation.
Against the grain, China welcomed the victory of Vladimir Putin, elected for a fifth term with 87% of the vote, according to official figures.
Vladimir Putin will lead Russia for 6 more years after winning the presidential election on March 17, 2024 with more than 87% of the vote.
AP - Alexander Zemlianichenko
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The reactions of European capitals are unanimous: Berlin speaks of an “
election without choice
” when the head of diplomacy of the European Union, Josep Borrel, regrets a vote based on “
repression and intimidation
” against journalists in Brussels.
A subsequent joint statement from the 27-nation European Union said Russians had been denied a "
real choice
" after all candidates opposed to the war in Ukraine were excluded.
The European Union condemned the organization of the vote in the regions of Ukraine occupied by Moscow and declared that "
it does not recognize and will never recognize either the holding of these so-called 'elections' on the Ukrainian territories, nor their results
.
The bloc of 27, however, did not heed the call of the widow of the Kremlin's main enemy, Alexei Navalny, not to recognize Putin as the legitimate president of Russia.
Read alsoIn the news: the “electoral farce” in Russia
A context of “increased repression” denounced by France
Paris deplores that “
the conditions for a free, pluralist and democratic election have not been met once again
”.
In a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France said it took note of the expected result of the presidential election in Russia.
“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 freedom of expression. ban on the operation of independent media.
On the same note, the United States sees Sunday's vote as elections "
neither free nor fair
", according to the spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House.
In the United Kingdom, the British Foreign Office said: “
By illegally organizing 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 assistance to Ukrainians defending their democracy
.”
Congratulations from Russia's allies
To find warm communiqués, you have to look to the East.
Particularly in Beijing: Xi Jinping congratulates Vladimir Putin.
The Chinese president goes even further by seeing in this risk-free victory the “
full support
” of the Russians for their president.
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un also sent a message of congratulations to the Russian president on his re-election, according to the official KCNA news agency.
Also read: Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulates Vladimir Putin on his victory
Congratulations also came from Iran.
“
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.
Vladimir Putin “drunk with power” for Volodymyr Zelensky
The harshest words obviously came from kyiv.
For the Ukrainian president, there is no legitimacy in this sham election.
“
These days, the Russian dictator is still faking an election.
It is obvious to everyone in the world that this character, as has often happened throughout history, is drunk with power and is doing everything to rule forever
,” Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“
There is no legitimacy in this sham election and there cannot be.
This person should be on trial in The Hague (seat of the International Criminal Court – Editor’s note).
That’s what we need to make sure of
.”
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
Read alsoPresidential election in Russia: credited with more than 87% of the votes, Vladimir Putin largely re-elected
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