Foreign governments and officials commented on social media about Russia's presidential election, which ended on Sunday (17), giving Vladimir Putin a landslide victory and another six-year term, according to the first official results.
The US, UK, Germany and Slovakia criticized the results due to the arrest of political opponents and censorship, while British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the elections were not “free and fair”.
The leaders of Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela congratulated Putin on his re-election.
With 99.8% of the votes counted, Putin obtained 87.3% of the votes, according to preliminary results released this Monday (18) by the Central Election Commission of Russia (CEC).
The European Union's (EU) foreign policy chief said the Russian elections took place in a highly restricted environment and were not “free and fair”. Senior diplomat Josep Borrell also said that the EU regrets the Russian authorities' decision not to invite international observers.
The EU's 27 foreign ministers will issue a joint statement at the end of a meeting in Brussels, Borrell said.
USA
At a press conference this Sunday afternoon (17), White House Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said he was shocked by Putin's already certain victory, and that the electoral process would be “a real nail-biter”.
“The idea of free and fair elections in Russia is a misnomer,” Kirby said before results projected victory for the Russian president.
UK
The UK's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs criticized the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (Osce) lack of monitoring of Russia's elections.
“The polls were closed in Russia, following the illegal holding of elections on Ukrainian territory, a lack of choice for voters and no independent monitoring by the Osce. This is not what free and fair elections look like.”
The polls have closed in Russia, following the illegal holding of elections on Ukrainian territory, a lack of choice for voters and no independent OSCE monitoring.
This is not what free and fair elections look like.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 17, 2024
In addition to Cameron, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office highlighted Russia's lack of interest in “finding a path to peace”.
“By holding elections illegally 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.”
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
Germany
The German Foreign Ministry called the Russian dispute a “pseudo-election” and said it was “neither free nor fair,” in a post on Platform X.
“Putin’s government is authoritarian, it depends on censorship, repression and violence. The 'elections' in the occupied territories of Ukraine are null and void and another violation of international law”, criticized the ministry.
The pseudo-election in #Russia is neither free nor fair, the result will surprise nobody. Putin's rule is authoritarian, he relies on censorship, repression & violence. The “election“ in the occupied territories of #Ukraine are null and void & another breach of international law.
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) March 17, 2024
Slovakia
Zuzana Čaputová, President of Slovakia, commented on the lack of fairness in the selection process in Russia's elections.
“Russia's 'elections' lacked fairness and freedom of choice. The process staged in the occupied territories of Ukraine is a serious violation of international law and can never be recognized by the international community.”
#Russia's “elections” lacked both fairness and freedom of choice. The staged process on #Ukraine's occupied territories is a serious violation of international law and can never be recognized by the international community.
— Zuzana Čaputová (@ZuzanaCaputova) March 17, 2024
China
China congratulated Putin on his presidential election victory and said the strategic relationship between the two countries will continue to strengthen.
Putin won a post-Soviet record landslide victory in Sunday's Russian elections, consolidating his already strong grip on power in a victory that he said showed Moscow was right to stand up to the West and send its troops into Ukraine.
“We firmly believe that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China-Russia relations will continue to move forward,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters when asked about the vote .
“China and Russia are each other’s largest neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners in the new era.”
Bolivia
Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce congratulated Putin on his victory.
“From the Plurinational State of Bolivia we send our most sincere congratulations to our brother Vladimir Putin, who was re-elected President of Russia with a resounding victory that reaffirms the unity of the courageous Russian people around their sovereignty and constant development. We are confident that we will continue to deepen our bonds of fraternity and cooperation.”
From the Plurinational State of #Bolivia We send our most sincere congratulations to his brother Vladímir Putin, who was re-elected as President of #Rusia 🇷🇺 with a resounding victory that reaffirms the unity of the brave Russian community around its constant sovereignty… pic.twitter.com/zNwHO3fPeI
— Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce) (@LuchoXBolivia) March 17, 2024
Cuba
In line with Luis Arce, President Díaz-Canel, of Cuba, also congratulated Putin.
“Our sincere congratulations on the re-election of President Vladimir Putin. It is irrefutable proof of the Russian people's recognition of his administration. We will continue to strengthen ties between Cuba and Russia, in sectors identified for the well-being of our people.”
Our sincere congratulations on the reelection of President Vladimir Putin.
It constitutes an effective example of the reconnaissance of the Russian pueblo and its management.
We will continue to strengthen links between #Cuba y #Rusiain sectors identified for the well-being of our communities. pic.twitter.com/UH32EOaX67— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) March 17, 2024
Venezuela
President Nicolás Maduro called Putin’s victory “extraordinary.”
“I congratulate the brotherly people of Russia and President Vladimir Putin on his extraordinary victory in the presidential elections of the Russian Federation. It was an impeccable electoral process that in the last three days demonstrated in an exemplary way its democratic participation. Greetings to all the Russian people and the United Russia party!”
I send my congratulations to the brother of Russia and President Vladímir Putin for his extraordinary victory in the presidential elections of the Federation of Russia. It has been an impeccable electoral process that in the last 3 days has demonstrated your participation in it… pic.twitter.com/w2Xe59xUwA
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) March 17, 2024
France
Putin's re-election took place in a context of repression within civil society and the conditions for a free and democratic election were not respected, the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry also praised in the statement the courage of “the many Russian citizens who peacefully protested against this attack on their fundamental political rights.”
Lithuania
Putin's electoral victory lacked legitimacy as people were not free to choose, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Monday.
“In this atmosphere of unfreedom there definitely cannot be elections,” Landsbergis said before a meeting with fellow European Union ministers in Brussels.
(Published by Gustavo Zanfer, with information from Jogn Irish, Dominique Vidalon, Bart Meijer, Liz Lee and Bernard Orr, Reuters)
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
