The United States has denounced Russia’s recent presidential election as “undemocratic,” according to a statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.
Blinken expressed concerns over the election’s conduct, highlighting instances of repression of independent voices and the absence of genuine political opposition.
In his statement, Blinken pointed out that the Russian authorities allegedly prevented anti-war candidates from registering for the election and did not extend invitations to credible international organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, to observe the polling process.
Moreover, he lamented the death of prominent Russian opposition leader Aleksey Navalny in prison weeks before the election, citing years of harassment and mistreatment by Russian authorities.
Blinken also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for restricting access to information and impeding political participation among Russian citizens. Despite the election’s predetermined outcome, the United States reiterated its support for those advocating for genuine democracy in Russia.
However, Putin, who secured re-election with an overwhelming majority in the recent presidential election, defended the democratic nature of the voting process.
In his first speech following his re-election, Putin asserted that voting in Russia is democratic, contrasting it with the electoral process in the United States.
The presidential election in Russia extended Putin’s stay in power until 2030, following constitutional amendments that lengthened presidential terms to six years. Putin’s continued rule is anticipated to result in a further consolidation of power in the country.
