RUSSIA HAILS ‘RECORD’WIN FOR PUTIN
MOSCOW: Russia’s election commission on Monday hailed what it said were “record” results for President Vladimir Putin, guaranteeing the former spy a fifth term in office after a vote that featured no credible opposition.
The Kremlin has presented the weekend election — marred by ballot spoilers and Ukrainian bombardments of border regions — as proof that Russians were behind Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Putin’s victory, which was inevitable, paves the way for him to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than two centuries.
All of the 71-year-old’s major opponents are dead, in prison or in exile and voting took place a month after Putin’s top critic, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic prison.
“Almost 76 million people” voted for Putin, Kremlin-friendly election chief Ella Pamfilova said. “This is a record figure.”
Putin has steered Russia into isolation from the West by launching the Feb. 24, 2022 invasion of its smaller, pro-West neighbor.
“In the face of the West, we are united,” Pamfilova said.
In a victory speech on Sunday night, Putin vowed that Moscow would resist outside pressure.
“No matter who or how much they want to intimidate, no matter who or how much they want to suppress, our will, our consciousness — no one has ever succeeded in anything like this in history,” he said.
“It has not worked now and will not work in the future. Never,” he added.
Ballot spoilers to be ‘dealt with’
In power since the last day of 1999, Putin has cultivated a strongman image, telling Russians he is fighting to preserve Moscow’s national identity, which he claims is under threat.
His offensive in Ukraine has been accompanied by a huge crackdown at home, with the number of political prisoners in Russia rising fast.
Thousands responded to the opposition’s call to protest the election by forming long lines at polling stations inside and outside of Russia.
Ballots were also spoiled by green dye and there were several incidents of voting booths being set on fire.
Putin vowed that Russians who spoiled their ballots “have to be dealt with” and dismissed opposition protests as having “no effect.”
He said the vote showed Russians had “trust” in him.
The three-day vote — also held in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine — saw a surge of deadly Ukrainian bombardments on Russian border regions.
Authorities said Ukrainian attacks killed 11 people in Russia’s Belgorod region in the last week.
China, North Korea send congratulations
Whereas the previous four presidential elections Putin won since 2000 saw Western leaders pour in their congratulations, his victory this time was met with scathing statements.
“This is not what free and fair elections look like,” United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron said.
In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lashed out at Putin as a “dictator” who was “drunk from power.”
But others sent their congratulations, including China, North Korea, Venezuela and Myanmar.
Russia has said it is seeking new allies after ties with the West have been severed over Ukraine.
Putin reaffirmed on Sunday night that Moscow intends to strengthen ties with China.
“Our relations are stable, they complement each other,” he said. “The most important thing is that state interests coincide.”