What the world is saying about Putin’s re-election

Paris, France | AFP | China was the first world power to react Monday to Russian strongman Vladimir Putin’s re-election, vowing to push ties to a “higher level”, but Germany questioned the fairness of the vote and warned that Moscow would remain “difficult”.

And 24 hours after Putin’s victory, there has been no public comment from the White House.

In London the only response from Downing Street was that it is waiting for an independent report by observers of the electoral process.

Here’s a roundup of global reaction:

– ‘Cooperative partnership’ –

Just a day after Xi Jinping was unanimously re-appointed President, the Chinese leader said Beijing was willing to work with Moscow.

“Currently, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is at the best level in history, which sets an example for building a new type of international relations,” Xi said in a message to Putin.

“China is willing to work with Russia to keep promoting China-Russia relations to a higher level.”

– ‘Violations’ –

However, the European Union said “violations and shortcomings” in the election flouted international standards, pointing to one-sided media coverage and curbs on political freedoms.

“We expect Russia to address the violations and shortcomings,” an EU statement said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said the Organisation for Security and Coopeation in Europe “has deployed an election observation mission to Russia and we will await their assessment before making any comment.”

– ‘Challenges’ –

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was to congratulate Putin, but the message will also raise “challenges” in their relations, her spokesman said.

Berlin and Moscow have “differences in opinion” on issues ranging from Russian politics to the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria.

“Nevertheless, the continuous contact with Russia’s leadership is very important to us.”

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas was more critical, saying: “We certainly cannot talk in all respects about a fair political contest as we know it.”

It was “unacceptable” that the election also took place in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine four years ago in breach of international law, Maas said.

“In this respect, we assume that Russia will remain a difficult partner.”

Poland also took up the Crimea theme with the foreign ministry saying the vote on the peninsula was “illegal” and urged respect for Ukrainian territorial integrity.

– ‘Modernising Russia’ –

In a phone call with Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron wished him “success for the political, democratic, economic and social modernisation” of Russia.

But he also urged Putin to shed light on the ‘unacceptable’ double agent poisoning in Britain and expressed concern over the war in Syria.