Putin addresses crowd in Red Square After the election victory, the West was undervalued.

President Vladimir Putin addresses the crowd after his landslide election win. while praising the return of territory from Ukraine As the West belittles, downplays and belittles the elections on Ukrainian soil.

Russian President Vladimir Putin waves to the crowd during his speech at the 10th anniversary celebration of Russia’s annexation of Crimea on Red Square in Moscow on March 18. (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA /AFP)

AFP reports On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, said President Vladimir Putin received an overwhelming victory in the popular vote over the past three days, both in Russian territory. and territories annexed from Ukraine

The victory makes Putin the longest-serving Russian leader in more than two centuries. Since rising to the top of politics in 2000

Most recently, he appeared at the 10th anniversary celebration of Russia’s annexation of the Crimea Peninsula. and gave a speech on stage in front of a large crowd of people attending the event on Red Square in Moscow.

“Let’s hold hands firmly. and move forward together From now on we will be stronger than before… Long live Russia!” Putin told the crowd.

Putin was joined at the event by three other presidential contenders, who all congratulated him on his victory.

Putin used the opportunity to boast about his work in annexing territory seized from Ukraine. Including a government project to build a new railway line connecting the former areas of Ukraine with mainland Russia. He said that people in those regions have always desired to return to their motherland.

However, the voting over the past 3 days has been quite chaotic, with some people protesting outside the polling stations, deliberately making ballots invalid. and a barrage of attacks along the border by pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups.

In response to Putin’s six more years in power, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has used the issue to pressure the US Congress. Quickly approve a $60 billion military aid package.

“It is extremely important for Ukraine to receive assistance from the United States Congress. And we hope that all necessary processes will be completed as soon as possible. to strengthen our economy and armed forces,” Zelensky said in a statement.

His comments come as the Ukrainian military has increased its attacks on Russian territory in recent days. Ukrainian artillery shelling killed four people near the Russian border city of Belgorod on Monday. As a result, the cumulative death toll in the region since last week has increased to 15.

The Russian presidential office said: After winning the election Putin made calls to the leaders of Belarus and Azerbaijan. which is a former Soviet ally in Central Asia He also spoke with Turkish leaders, who congratulated him and offered to mediate between the warring parties.

Putin also received congratulations from leaders of countries including China, North Korea, Venezuela and Myanmar.

But on the contrary He has also received scorn from Western leaders such as the European Union, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. It is alleged that the Russian elections were based on unfair repression and intimidation. It is also tainted by the practice of eliminating political opponents and controlling the media. Which makes it not truly democratic.