Following the publication of the partial results of the presidential elections in Russia, according to which Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin received almost 88 percent of the votes, criticism of the vote is increasing – including from the team of the late opposition politician Alexei Navalny. The “made up figures clearly have nothing to do with reality,” Navalny confidante Leonid Volkov said on Sunday in the online service Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied the elections ‘any legitimacy’.
“This election fraud has no legitimacy and cannot have any legitimacy,” Zelensky said in his late-night video address on Sunday. “This figure (Putin) must end up in the dock in The Hague – we must ensure that, everyone in the world who values life and decency.”
“Faking another election”
Putin has been faking another election lately. “It is clear to everyone in the world that this character, as so often in history, is simply obsessed with power and will do anything to rule for life,” Zelensky said. “There is no evil he will not commit to extend his personal power.”
In view of the Russian invasion of his homeland and the war that has now lasted more than two years, Zelenskyy demanded justice. “There must be just retaliation for everything Russian killers have done in this war and for the sake of Putin’s lifelong power,” he said. “He only fears one thing: justice.” Ukraine’s demands for a peace deal with Moscow include holding those responsible in Russian politics and the Russian military accountable before an international court.
“Not legal, free and fair”
Poland criticized the vote as “not legal”. “The Russian presidential elections are not legal, free and fair,” the Foreign Ministry said in Warsaw this evening. The elections took place “under severe repression” and in occupied parts of Ukraine, in violation of international law.
No congratulations from the West
According to his spokeswoman, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier does not want to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election. “There will be no letter to Putin,” spokeswoman Cerstin Gammelin told the Tagesspiegel on Sunday evening. In a statement from Steinmeier that she previously shared on the We do not forget these courageous people.”
The Austrian Foreign Ministry had already expressed criticism on Friday, at the start of the elections. The elections began amid repression, intimidation and persecution, X said. It was also pointed out that there were no independent OSCE election observers. “The Russian people deserve real elections and the security and freedom to exercise them,” it said on X. It also condemned “the sham elections” in the occupied territories. “These ‘elections’ are illegal, their results have no legitimacy whatsoever!”
Putin’s victory in the three-day elections was considered a foregone conclusion from the start. Three insignificant candidates ran against him. All of the Kremlin leader’s best-known critics are dead, imprisoned or in exile.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
