04:38Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said that the high turnout at the presidential election was an indication of popular support for Vladimir Putin, while speaking to journalists on Monday.
"Indeed, the record turnout really speaks volumes about the level of support for the president," said Peskov.
Responding to disapproval of the election process by the US and other Western officials, Peskov dismissed the criticism, saying it was 'highly expected and predictable'.
"Speaking to reporters late last night, Putin said that such assessments were highly expected and predictable, given that the United States is the country that is de facto deeply involved in the war in Ukraine and is the country that is de facto engaged in war with us. Other assessments could hardly be expected, although once again, we categorically disagree with them," he said.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the presidential elections in Russia had 'occurred in an environment of intense repression and imprisonment', and were 'neither free nor fair'.
Following the publication of election results, a number of EU and US officials, including EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the presidential elections, alleging they were 'sham elections', 'an election without a choice' and 'neither free nor fair'.
Meanwhile, on election day, Russian citizens were seen forming long lines outside of polling stations opened at Russia's embassies, including those in European countries and the US.
Russian presidential elections abroad were held on March 17 at 295 polling stations in 144 countries. Early voting took place in 74 polling stations in 51 countries from March 1 - 14.
According to the CEC, after processing more than 97 percent of ballots, incumbent President Vladimir Putin has won the election with 87.3 percent of votes. Russian Communist Party candidate Nikolai Kharitonov came second with 4.3 percent. Vladislav Davankov of the New People party and Leonid Slutsky of the LDPR are in third and fourth positions with 3.8 and 3.2 percent of ballots, respectively.
Russia's presidential election took place over three days on March 15-17, with early voting between February 25 and March 14.
'Record turnout speaks volumes about support for president' - Peskov
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said that the high turnout at the presidential election was an indication of popular support for Vladimir Putin, while speaking to journalists on Monday.
"Indeed, the record turnout really speaks volumes about the level of support for the president," said Peskov.
Responding to disapproval of the election process by the US and other Western officials, Peskov dismissed the criticism, saying it was 'highly expected and predictable'.
"Speaking to reporters late last night, Putin said that such assessments were highly expected and predictable, given that the United States is the country that is de facto deeply involved in the war in Ukraine and is the country that is de facto engaged in war with us. Other assessments could hardly be expected, although once again, we categorically disagree with them," he said.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the presidential elections in Russia had 'occurred in an environment of intense repression and imprisonment', and were 'neither free nor fair'.
Following the publication of election results, a number of EU and US officials, including EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the presidential elections, alleging they were 'sham elections', 'an election without a choice' and 'neither free nor fair'.
Meanwhile, on election day, Russian citizens were seen forming long lines outside of polling stations opened at Russia's embassies, including those in European countries and the US.
Russian presidential elections abroad were held on March 17 at 295 polling stations in 144 countries. Early voting took place in 74 polling stations in 51 countries from March 1 - 14.
According to the CEC, after processing more than 97 percent of ballots, incumbent President Vladimir Putin has won the election with 87.3 percent of votes. Russian Communist Party candidate Nikolai Kharitonov came second with 4.3 percent. Vladislav Davankov of the New People party and Leonid Slutsky of the LDPR are in third and fourth positions with 3.8 and 3.2 percent of ballots, respectively.
Russia's presidential election took place over three days on March 15-17, with early voting between February 25 and March 14.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said that the high turnout at the presidential election was an indication of popular support for Vladimir Putin, while speaking to journalists on Monday.
"Indeed, the record turnout really speaks volumes about the level of support for the president," said Peskov.
Responding to disapproval of the election process by the US and other Western officials, Peskov dismissed the criticism, saying it was 'highly expected and predictable'.
"Speaking to reporters late last night, Putin said that such assessments were highly expected and predictable, given that the United States is the country that is de facto deeply involved in the war in Ukraine and is the country that is de facto engaged in war with us. Other assessments could hardly be expected, although once again, we categorically disagree with them," he said.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the presidential elections in Russia had 'occurred in an environment of intense repression and imprisonment', and were 'neither free nor fair'.
Following the publication of election results, a number of EU and US officials, including EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the presidential elections, alleging they were 'sham elections', 'an election without a choice' and 'neither free nor fair'.
Meanwhile, on election day, Russian citizens were seen forming long lines outside of polling stations opened at Russia's embassies, including those in European countries and the US.
Russian presidential elections abroad were held on March 17 at 295 polling stations in 144 countries. Early voting took place in 74 polling stations in 51 countries from March 1 - 14.
According to the CEC, after processing more than 97 percent of ballots, incumbent President Vladimir Putin has won the election with 87.3 percent of votes. Russian Communist Party candidate Nikolai Kharitonov came second with 4.3 percent. Vladislav Davankov of the New People party and Leonid Slutsky of the LDPR are in third and fourth positions with 3.8 and 3.2 percent of ballots, respectively.
Russia's presidential election took place over three days on March 15-17, with early voting between February 25 and March 14.