The German Foreign Ministry decided not to call Vladimir Putin as the "president" of Russia, considering the elections held in the country undemocratic and unfair.
This step reflects a significant deterioration in relations between the two countries amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Bild reports.
Government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said that the "so-called elections in Russia" did not meet the standards of freedom and justice. According to her, the outcome of the vote was pre-determined, and the elections were held in an atmosphere of intimidation and suppression of freedom of speech.
"Russia is now a dictatorship and is under the authoritarian rule of Vladimir Putin," Hoffmann emphasized.
She also condemned the voting in the occupied territories of Ukraine, calling it illegal.
When asked whether the German authorities would call Putin "president," Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer said that the ministry has recently been using only the name Putin without official titles.
Germany's refusal to recognize Putin as president is a symbolic but powerful signal that the country does not recognize him as a legitimate leader.
Previously we reported that the US intends to initiate the recognition of Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.