Putin's victory in Russia: Baerbock speaks out sharply – and announces sanctions

Updated March 18 at 11:45 a.m: “The elections in Russia were elections without elections”: with these words Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Green Party) commented on the official re-election of Vladimir Putin. The fact that voting was also taking place in parts of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia “contraries to international law,” she said before deliberations by EU heads of administration in Brussels.

Baerbock added that it is striking how many Russians made it clear over the weekend that they are not on the same page with this Russian president. “The fact that you went to the polling station, even if you were accompanied by soldiers, fills me with the greatest respect.” Meanwhile, Birbock announced new EU sanctions in light of the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Russia elections: France praises peaceful demonstrators

Updated from March 18 at 11:22 a.m: The French government takes note of “the expected result of the presidential elections.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris announced that day – and stated, “Dr. Putin” without his presidential title.

Instead, it acknowledged the peaceful protests in the statement: “France welcomes the courage of many Russian citizens who demonstrated peacefully against the assault on their fundamental political rights.”

She added that the elections took place in a “context of increasing repression.” Paris also condemns the establishment of electoral offices in the breakaway regions of Georgia and Moldova.

Russian elections: Xi Jinping congratulates Vladimir Putin

Updated from March 18, 10:55 a.mChina congratulates Putin – and praises friendship with Russia: “We firmly believe that under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China-Russia relations will continue to advance,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing.

China and Russia are „strategic partners in the new era.” After Putin's victory was announced, other countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Bolivia congratulated him.

Russian propaganda: Newspaper sees “competition” in voter turnout

Updated from March 18, 10:14 a.m: “Putin’s election victory” is the main topic in the Russian media. It was reported that 74% of those eligible voted – a record high. Moscow daily newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta He celebrates this in a very wonderful way as “a real competition between regions and corporations for the highest voter turnout.” Observers had criticized the companies for transporting their employees to polling stations in an organized manner.

According to the newspaper, the protests against electoral tampering mobilized loyal voters: “These protests were undoubtedly fueled by riots at polling stations by individual citizens who were either in their right mind because of their age, had been deceived by enemy propaganda or had psychological problems.” „. The newspaper said in its comment on the Russian elections:

Previous diplomatic reaction to Putin's win: 'An insult to Stalin'

Updated from March 18, 9:41 a.m: Former British diplomat Sir Andrew Wood described comparisons between Putin and Stalin as an “insult to Stalin” after the Russian elections. “Stalin operated in a disgusting and bloodthirsty way, but at least his regime had some organization,” he told the radio. Sky News.

Background: British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps wrote in a guest article for Telegraph It says: “Putin behaves like a modern-day Stalin.” The presenter asked Wood if he saw it that way too. Former Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin killed about 20 million people.

Reactions to Putin's win: Kim sends a message

Update from March 18, 9:00 a.m.: Vladimir Putin also received congratulations from North Korea. Such as the government news agency Korean Central News Agency Head of state Kim Jong Un reportedly congratulated the Russian president on his re-election in a letter. Just a few days ago, Kim expressed his friendship with Russia by riding in a limousine given to him by Putin.

Update from March 18, 6:45 a.m.: According to official information, Vladimir Putin received congratulations from several authoritarian countries after his victory in the Russian elections. The Russian news agency reported that the heads of state of Nicaragua, Tajikistan and Venezuela sent congratulations TASS in the morning. It quoted Nicolas Maduro as saying: “By obtaining more than 87% (of the votes), Putin completely won the war against the West’s collectivist empire.” The Venezuelan head of state described the victory of “Big Brother” as a good omen for the whole world.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega also spoke of a victory that would contribute to achieving stability and a better future for humanity. Ortega said the election itself was ideal and calm. In turn, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonon spoke of a convincing victory for Putin. He hopes to further develop bilateral relations, according to a statement issued by Rahmon's press service.

A German foreign policy expert makes serious accusations against Putin

Update from March 17, 9:29 p.m.: There has been criticism of the Russian elections from the federal government. “These elections are the least fraudulent and free since the end of the Soviet Union,” Michael Roth (SPD), chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told parliament. Daily Mirror. “The sham elections were partly contrary to international law. In the occupied and temporarily annexed Ukrainian territories, the elections and their results may not be recognized.” Roth accused the regime of “manipulating the elections.”

Steinmeier does not want to send congratulations to Moscow after the Russian elections

Update from March 17, 9:15 p.m.: According to his spokeswoman, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier does not want to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election after the elections in Russia. White House spokeswoman Cyrustine Gamelin told the newspaper: “There will be no message to Putin.” Daily Mirror Sunday evening after the first results of the Russian elections were published that evening.

In a statement previously distributed by the Federal President on the X platform (formerly Twitter), she said: “Today I think of the people in Russia who are fighting for freedom and democracy and who live in constant danger from Putin’s regime.” We do not forget these brave people. „Gamlin's spokeswoman also wrote about 'the so-called presidential elections in Russia.'” The Foreign Ministry chose a similar wording on Sunday. On

Navalny’s team on Russia’s elections: “invented proportions”

Update from March 17, 9:01 p.m.: The team of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who died in Russian custody, has questioned the partial results of Russia's presidential elections, according to which Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin received nearly 88 percent of the vote. “It is clear that the percentages that were invented for Putin have nothing to do with reality,” Leonid Volkov said on Sunday via the Telegram online service. Volkov was one of Navalny's closest confidants and, among other things, the former chief of staff.

Medvedev attacks the West after the elections in Russia

Updated from March 17, 8:46 p.mPutin's minions are taking their stand: after Russia's elections, clouded by allegations of fraud, the Kremlin finds little reason for international relaxation. On the contrary, a few minutes after the first result was announced, Dmitry Medvedev taunted the West: “Congratulations to all enemies of Russia on the wonderful victory achieved by Vladimir Putin,” the former president wrote on the website X. In the past weeks and months, the politician has appeared The Russian Federation repeatedly made blatant threats against the West.

The first report: Moscow – The elections in Russia have ended: according to the first official partial results, Kremlin President Vladimir Putin received approximately 88 percent of the votes in the ballot. This ensures that the Russian ruler will have another six-year term. There were no serious opponents to Putin, and this is not the only reason why the elections were severely criticized abroad.

Zelensky on the Russian elections: Putin is a power-hungry dictator

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Putin as a power-hungry „dictator.” “It is clear to everyone in the world that this person – as has happened so often in history – is tired of power and will do anything to be able to rule forever,” Zelensky said in online remarks.

Reactions to Putin and the elections in Russia: Zelensky becomes clear

In light of the Russian invasion of his homeland and the war that has been ongoing for more than two years, Zelensky demanded justice. He said: „There must be just revenge for everything the Russian killers did in this war, and for the benefit of Putin's power for life.” “He fears only one thing: justice.” Ukraine's demands to reach a peace agreement with Moscow include, among other things, holding those responsible for Russia's politics and military establishment accountable before an international court.

Poland on Putin's presidential elections: Elections in Russia are „illegal, free and fair”

After the first partial results of the presidential elections in Russia were announced, Poland criticized the vote, calling it „illegal.” The Foreign Ministry in Warsaw said on Sunday evening that “the Russian presidential elections are not legal, free and fair.” The elections were held “under severe repression” and in occupied parts of Ukraine, in violation of international law. (CGSC with EPA and AFP)