© Reuters. Russian presidential candidate and incumbent President Vladimir Putin speaks after polling stations closed, in Moscow, Russia, March 18, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
By Matthias Williams and John Irish
LONDON (Reuters) -Western governments lined up on Monday to sentence Vladimir Putin’s landslide election victory as unfair and undemocratic, however China, India and North Korea congratulated the veteran Russian chief on extending his rule by an extra six years.
The contrasting reactions underscored the geopolitical fault traces which have gaped wider since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years in the past, triggering the deepest disaster in relations with the West for the reason that finish of the Chilly Warfare.
Arriving in Brussels on Monday, EU international ministers roundly dismissed the election consequence as a sham forward of agreeing sanctions on people linked to the mistreatment and loss of life of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
“Russia’s election was an election without choice,” German Overseas Minister Annalena Baerbock mentioned firstly of the assembly.
Taking part in on Moscow’s reference to its conflict in Ukraine as a “special military operation”, French Overseas Minister Stephane Sejourne mentioned Paris had taken be aware of the “special election operation”.
“The conditions for a free, pluralistic and democratic election were not met,” his ministry mentioned.
British Overseas Secretary David Cameron mentioned the election end result 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,” Cameron mentioned.
France, Britain and others condemned the truth that Russia had additionally held its election in occupied areas of Ukraine that it claims to have annexed through the conflict.
The Kremlin dismissed such criticism, saying the 87% of the vote gained by Putin through the three-day election confirmed that the Russian individuals have been consolidating round him.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mentioned 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 mentioned.
A White Home spokesperson on Sunday mentioned Russia’s election was “obviously not free nor fair”. President Joe Biden has not but commented.
OUTSIDE WEST, PUTIN CONGRATULATED
In sharp distinction, Chinese language President Xi Jinping congratulated Putin, and mentioned Beijing would keep shut communication with Moscow to advertise the “no limits” partnership they agreed in 2022, simply earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine.
“I believe that under your leadership, Russia will certainly be able to achieve greater achievements in national development and construction,” Xi informed Putin in his message, in accordance with Xinhua Information.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed that message, saying he regarded ahead to strengthening New Delhi’s “time-tested special and privileged strategic partnership” with Moscow.
India and China, together with Russia, are members of the BRICS group of rising economies that goals to problem U.S. domination of the worldwide financial system.
North Korean chief Kim Jong Un and Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, accused by the West of supplying weapons to Russia, additionally prolonged congratulations to Putin, stressing their need for additional enlargement of bilateral relations with Moscow.
In Africa, the place the West has been struggling to win help for its efforts to isolate Moscow over the Ukraine conflict, some newspapers noticed Putin’s re-election as reinforcing the stance of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
These three states within the Sahel area have strengthened ties with Russia following coups in recent times on the expense of their conventional French and U.S. allies.
“In Africa, this re-election could sound like a non-event, but given the context in the Sahel it takes on a particular meaning, because Putin embodies the new geopolitical balance of power on the continent with a growing (Russian) presence and influence,” mentioned Burkina Faso every day Aujourd’hui au Faso”.