The United States has strongly criticized Russia’s recent election, branding it as “undemocratic” and signaling that it will not extend congratulations to President Vladimir Putin, who secured a sweeping victory.
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel, in a sarcastic tone, remarked on the election, stating, “I was on the edge of my seat. It was such a nail-biter.”
He went on to describe the electoral process as “incredibly undemocratic” during a press briefing.
When asked if the US would withhold recognition of the election results, Patel indicated that congratulatory calls from the United States to Putin were highly unlikely.
While acknowledging that Putin is likely to continue as Russia’s president, Patel stressed that this does not absolve him of autocratic practices.
He criticized Putin for disqualifying and imprisoning political opponents, including the death of prominent challenger Alexei Navalny in prison before the vote.
Patel emphasized that Russians deserve free and fair elections, where they can choose from a diverse range of candidates representing different viewpoints.
He also highlighted the importance of access to impartial information for Russian citizens to make informed decisions about their country’s leadership and future.
The United States’ condemnation of Russia’s election follows similar criticism from European allies who also questioned the fairness and conduct of the electoral process.
It’s worth noting that the US has had limited engagement with Putin since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, defying warnings from the United States and its allies.