Western governments yesterday lined up to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin’s landslide election victory as unfair and undemocratic, while China and North Korea congratulated the veteran Russian leader on extending his rule by a further six years.
The contrasting reactions underscored the geopolitical faultlines 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.
“The electoral process in Russia took place amid accrued repression against civil society and all forms of opposition to the regime, with even tougher restrictions to freedom of expression and the banning of independent media,” the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Photo: EPA-EFE
“The conditions for a free, pluralistic and democratic election were not met,” it said.
British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron said the election outcome highlighted the “depth of repression” in Russia.
“Putin removes his political opponents, controls the media, and then crowns himself the winner. This is not democracy,” he said.
A German government spokesperson said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz would not congratulate Putin on his re-election, because “the result was predetermined.”
The Kremlin dismissed such criticism, saying the 87 percent of the vote won by Putin during the three-day election showed that the Russian people were consolidating around him.
France, the UK and others also condemned Russia for holding its election in occupied regions of Ukraine that it claims to have annexed during the war.
This decision constitutes “a new breach of international law and of the United Nations Charter,” France said, reiterating its refusal to recognize the Russian annexations and its commitment to “the sovereignty ... and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia’s election had no legitimacy.
“It is clear to everyone in the world that this figure [Putin]... is simply sick for power and is doing everything to rule forever,” Zelenskiy said.
In sharp contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) congratulated Putin, and said Beijing would maintain close communication with Moscow to promote the “no limits” partnership they agreed to in 2022, just before Russia invaded Ukraine.
“I believe that under your leadership, Russia will certainly be able to achieve greater achievements in national development and construction,” Xi told Putin in his message, according to Xinhua news agency.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also sent a letter of congratulations to Putin, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a congratulatory message to Putin said he looked forward to boosting ties to develop their “special” relationship.
Additional reporting by AP
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