Ukraine, US, UK, France, etc. call it an "oppressive election"
China, North Korea send congratulatory messages to Putin
International reactions were divided over Russian President Vladimir Putin's landslide victory in the presidential election, securing his fifth term. While anti-Russian countries, including the Western world, criticized the election as unfair due to oppression and intimidation, pro-Russian countries such as China expressed their welcome. This highlights the intensified new Cold War phenomenon caused by global bloc formation and the Ukraine war.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, stated on the 17th (local time), "In recent days, the Russian dictator pretended to hold another election," emphasizing, "This figure (President Putin) is simply intoxicated with power and is doing everything for eternal rule. He must be tried at The Hague (International Criminal Court, ICC)."
John Kirby, White House National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, criticized, "Given that Putin imprisoned his opponents and prevented others from running against him, this election was clearly neither free nor fair." Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also pointed out that it was an "election based on oppression and intimidation."
The German Foreign Ministry also posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "The fake election held in Russia was neither free nor fair," adding, "Putin's rule is authoritarian and relies on censorship, oppression, and violence. The 'elections' in the occupied territories within Ukraine are worthless, legally invalid, and constitute another violation of international law." Transparent ballot boxes that could not guarantee secret voting were used, and voting was conducted in four occupied territories within Ukraine.
David Cameron, UK Foreign Secretary, also stated on X, "Illegal elections were held on Ukrainian territory, voters were not given a choice, and there was no independent election monitoring by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)." Grant Shapps, UK Secretary of State for Defence, wrote in an article for The Telegraph, "President Putin stole this election, held while his opponents were imprisoned or killed," criticizing, "He is acting like a modern Stalin and is a tyrant the West must confront."
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, "Russia's election fell short of the conditions for free and pluralistic democratic elections," and "We pay tribute to the courage of many Russian citizens who peacefully expressed opposition in resistance to attacks on political fundamental rights." Poland also criticized in a Foreign Ministry statement, "The vote was held under extreme repression of (Russian) society, making free and democratic choice impossible."
Pro-Russian countries expressed their congratulations to President Putin. According to the state-run China Central Television (CCTV), Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to President Putin, stating, "Your re-election fully demonstrates the support of the Russian people for you," and "Under your leadership, I believe Russia will surely achieve greater accomplishments in national development and construction."
Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, also sent a congratulatory message, reported by the Korean Central News Agency. Since their summit last year, Kim and President Putin have emphasized multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, and North Korea has recently supplied Russia with missiles and other ammunition used on the Ukraine battlefield. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also sent a message saying, "I sincerely congratulate President Putin on his decisive victory and re-election," according to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency. Ivan Gil, Venezuelan Foreign Minister, stated on X, "President Nicol?s Maduro congratulated President Putin and his political movement on their overwhelming election victory on behalf of the Venezuelan people."
Leaders of former Soviet states Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan also congratulated President Putin on his election victory.
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