Yulia Navalnaya, appeal to the world/ "Don't recognize Putin as a legitimate leader"

2024-03-19 14:49:55, Kosova & Bota CNA

Yulia Navalnaya, appeal to the world/ "Don't recognize Putin as a

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, has called on the international community to reject the recognition of President Vladimir Putin as the "legitimate" leader of the state, following weekend elections that "have no meaning".

Speaking to her supporters, through a video message published on social networks, on March 19, Navalnaya called for no surrender in the opposition to Putin, who easily won more than 87 percent. of votes in the absence of rivals after they have been jailed or banned from running.

"The results of these elections have no meaning. Putin wants to show the world that he has a lot of support," said Navalnaya.

"These elections have been conducted, but nothing has been concluded. On the contrary, we must gather strength and work harder than before", she added.

Putin has declared victory for the fifth presidential term, after the elections held on March 15-17, which have been condemned by the West, being described as neither fair nor free.

It is believed that through these elections, Putin has tried to gain support for the war started in Ukraine and his increasingly oppressive policies.

Putin, 71, who has led Russia either as president or prime minister since 2000 - is expected to surpass the 30-year rule of Joseph Stalin if he completes this new term.

Thus, he will be able to become the longest-serving Russian leader in the last two centuries.

Independent observers have been banned from participating in the election, for the first time in Russia's post-Soviet history, experts said.

In the video, Navalny praised Russians who participated in the March 17 protest, which was organized by Navalny's aides in Russia and elsewhere.

She is currently living outside of Russia, but has vowed to continue her husband's fight "for a wonderful Russia in the future".

Her husband, Alexei, died on February 16, in one of Russia's most notorious prisons, under suspicious circumstances.

Navalnaya and many Western governments blame Putin for the death of the Kremlin critic./ REL