On Sunday, March 17, the Russian Federation held pseudo-presidential elections. According to the results of the exit poll, Vladimir Putin secures over 87% of votes. The world has already reacted to such sham elections.
"Apostrophe" found out the reactions of some world leaders.
The European Union
Sky News reports that the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said that the elections were not free or fair and were "based on repression and intimidation." He made the remarks at the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
In an earlier statement, the EU condemns the "illegal" elections held in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, which "is yet another clear violation of international law by Russia." The EU emphasizes that the presidential elections in Russia took place "under very limited circumstances", which were "enhanced" by the war in Ukraine. It is stated that such results at the polling stations will not be recognized by the Union.
Germany
During a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Annalena Baerbock said that Russians simply had no choice in the voting, adding that it was "an election without a choice." She commented on this as follows:
"The electoral process not only demonstrates Putin's reckless behavior towards his own people, but also contradicts UN norms. The so-called "elections" in parts of Ukraine, parts of Moldova and parts of Georgia are contrary to international law."
She also mentioned a certain kind of protest by Russians at polling stations, pointing out that Russians demonstrated their position in this way.
Estonia
At the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna, commented on "Putin's election" as follows:
"Yesterday in Russia there were some actions, they call it an 'election'. But it was not an election. What we saw was not a democratic election process."
He considers the Russian elections illegitimate, adding that Putin's rightful place is on the dock in The Hague:
"These were not legitimate elections. Putin's legitimate place is to be in The Hague as a war criminal. Violation of international law by holding so-called "elections" in the occupied territories, forcing people to participate in so-called "elections"... we understand that this is a farce".
Lithuania
lrt.lt reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis also demonstrated his own position regarding the Russian presidential elections:
"The law cannot arise from illegality, and the legitimacy that is respected in the international space cannot arise from coercion, oppression and falsification. Therefore, we do not consider and do not call this falsified and simulated procedure an election, because it is, unfortunately, more like to a tragic farce".
Landsbergis believes that the procedure was not fair and free, that is, it did not meet the generally recognized standards of democracy and the rule of law.
Instead, Russian sources published Telegram posts with lists of countries that have already allegedly congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election for a new term. In particular, one of the publics published the following list.
Earlier we wrote that according to exit polls, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin received over 87% of the vote.