'Not free nor fair': International responses to Putin's victory in Presidential election

Vladimir Putin reelection in Russia's presidential election, extending his rule by six yerars, has gathrered strong reatcions from global leaders, NDTV reported.

The VTsIOM poll run by the Russian authority announced Putin's victory just as the time closed in the country's westernmost area of Kaliningrad at 17:00 GMT.

An official from the White House National Security Council questioned the election process, who said: "The elections are obviously not free nor fair given how Mr. Putin has imprisoned political opponents and prevented others from running against him."

In line with the German Foreign Ministry which denounced the election saying: "The pseudo-election in Russia is neither free nor fair, the result will surprise nobody. Putin's rule is authoritarian, he relies on censorship, repression & violence. The "election" in the occupied territories of Ukraine are null and void & another breach of international law."

While the British Foreign Office voiced apprehension over Russia's plan to hold elections in Ukraine, they made it clear that the action goes against the pacemaking process.

The UK restated the obligation to stand with Ukraine through supplies of humanitarian, economic and military aid for the sake of preserving democracy.