President Vladimir Putin secured a historic post-Soviet landslide victory in Russia’s election on Sunday, reinforcing his firm grip on power and emphasizing Moscow’s defiance against the West, particularly concerning its military involvement in Ukraine.
Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel who ascended to power in 1999, underscored that the election outcome signals to the West that Russia, under his leadership, will remain a formidable force to reckon with, both in times of conflict and peace, for the foreseeable future.
With a staggering 87.8% of the vote, Putin’s victory marks the highest ever result in Russia’s post-Soviet era, as reported by an exit poll conducted by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM). The Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) placed Putin’s approval rating at 87%. Initial official results corroborated the accuracy of the polls.
Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov clinched second place with just under 4% of the vote, with newcomer Vladislav Davankov and ultra-nationalist Leonid Slutsky following suit, based on partial results.
In his victory speech delivered in Moscow, Putin pledged to prioritize resolving issues related to Russia’s military involvement in Ukraine and bolstering the country’s armed forces.
While thousands of opponents, inspired by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, staged protests against Putin at polling stations both domestically and abroad, the president dismissed their impact on the election’s outcome, asserting that Russia’s democratic process remained intact.
Putin also commented on the recent passing of Navalny, acknowledging it as a “sad event” and confirming readiness for a potential prisoner swap involving the opposition figure.
The Russian election, overshadowed by ongoing conflict with Ukraine, saw a nationwide turnout of 74.22%, surpassing levels from previous years. Despite some incidents of protest and dissent, Putin’s re-election, devoid of any credible challengers, aimed to demonstrate widespread support among Russian citizens.
As the West continues to criticize Putin’s leadership and involvement in the Ukraine conflict, the Russian president portrays Russia’s actions as a response to perceived encroachment by Western powers on Moscow’s sphere of influence.
Putin’s victory in the election underscores his enduring dominance in Russian politics, cementing his position as one of the country’s longest-serving leaders in history.
Source: Reuters
