Vladimir Putin confirmed in office for the fifth time with 87.28 percent of the vote. Participation is also at its highest level ever at 77.44 percent.
The West criticizes the vote as unfair, but there are also congratulations. The heads of state of Nicaragua, Tajikistan and Venezuela were among the first to congratulate. Putin's most important ally, China's Xi Jinping, also congratulated him on the election results of the most important state and party of the country. The European Union announced new punitive measures against Putin's supporters.