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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 Struggle.
Arriving in Brussels on Monday, EU overseas ministers roundly dismissed the election outcome as a sham forward of agreeing sanctions on people linked to the mistreatment and demise of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
“Russia’s election was an election with out alternative,” German International Minister Annalena Baerbock stated at the beginning of the assembly.
Taking part in on Moscow’s reference to its warfare in Ukraine as a “particular navy operation”, French International Minister Stephane Sejourne stated Paris had taken observe of the “particular election operation”.
“The circumstances for a free, pluralistic and democratic election weren’t met,” his ministry stated.
British International Secretary David Cameron stated the election final result highlighted the “depth of repression” in Russia.
“Putin removes his political opponents, controls the media, after which crowns himself the winner. This isn’t democracy,” Cameron stated.
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 in the course of the warfare.
The Kremlin dismissed such criticism, saying the 87% of the vote received by Putin in the course of the three-day election confirmed that the Russian individuals have been consolidating round him.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated Russia’s election had no legitimacy.
“It’s clear to everybody on this planet that this determine (Putin)… is just sick for energy and is doing every little thing to rule eternally,” Zelenskiy stated.
A White Home spokesperson on Sunday stated Russia’s election was “clearly not free nor truthful”. President Joe Biden has not but commented.
OUTSIDE WEST, PUTIN CONGRATULATED
In sharp distinction, Chinese language President Xi Jinping congratulated Putin, and stated Beijing would preserve shut communication with Moscow to advertise the “no limits” partnership they agreed in 2022, simply earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine.
“I consider that underneath your management, Russia will definitely be capable of obtain higher achievements in nationwide improvement and development,” Xi informed Putin in his message, in accordance with Xinhua Information.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed that message, saying he appeared ahead to strengthening New Delhi’s “time-tested particular 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 economic 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 want 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 warfare, 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 might sound like a non-event, however given the context within the Sahel it takes on a selected which means, as a result of Putin embodies the brand new geopolitical stability of energy on the continent with a rising (Russian) presence and affect,” stated Burkina Faso each day Aujourd’hui au Faso”.
(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Matthias Williams in London and John Irish in ParisEditing by Gareth Jones)
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