US acknowledges Putin's presidency amid disputed Russian election results

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was asked by journalists to comment on Vladimir Putin's victory in the Russian presidential elections.

- "It cannot be said that this result was surprising. Putin closed the political space, blocked his political opponents. Some of these opponents tragically died. These elections had nothing to do with freedom or justice, and their outcome was predetermined," the White House representative observed.

- "Secondly, the reality is that Putin is the president of Russia, and we will act on this basis regarding the war in Ukraine, in the case of other aggressions that could be undertaken by Russia," Sullivan added.

- "We will continue to operate in this reality, but it does not change the fact that these elections were not fair," he emphasized.

The presidential elections in Russia, which started on Friday, concluded on Sunday. On Monday morning, the website of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation published the results after counting votes from 100 percent of the protocols.

According to the data provided, the Russian presidential election was won by Vladimir Putin, who received 87.28 percent of all votes (as of 4:00 AM Greenwich Time).

The West believes that the elections were unfair and undemocratic. A statement on this matter was issued, among others, by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "From 15-17 March, so-called presidential elections took place in Russia; the vote took place under conditions of extreme repression against society, preventing a free, democratic choice. These elections cannot be recognized as legal, free, or fair," it was emphasized in the communication.