What the world is saying about Putin’s re-election

– Working together –

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban led the applause from some friendly former Soviet-bloc states with a letter of congratulations.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said he looked forward to working with Putin.

The pro-Russian Czech Republic President Milos went further saying he looked forward to hosting Putin in Prague.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has cultivated closer cooperation with Putin, especially on Syria, congratulated the Russian leader by telephone, state media said.

They also discussed a three-way summit on Syria due to be held with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Istanbul on April 4.

– ‘Denuclearise North Korea’ –

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe congratulated Putin and the two leaders agreed to work together for North Korea’s denuclearisation, the Japanese foreign ministry said.

“The two leaders confirmed their close cooperation in realising North Korea’s denuclearisation” before an expected summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, it said.

– ‘Exceptional trust’ –

“The Russian people’s exceptional trust in you is a natural outcome of your outstanding national performance,” Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told his close ally in a congratulatory cable.

– ‘Develop relations further’ –

Iranian President Rouhani congratulated Putin on his “decisive victory” and pledged to boost ties.

“I am sure that during your new term, relations between our two countries will develop further,” he said.

Iran and Russia have strengthened ties, both giving major military and financial backing to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement he hoped to deepen “our personal dialogue” and “to continue working together intensely in confidance and harmony.”

– ‘Strategic ties’ –

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi sent his “warmest congratulations”.

“(Sisi) lauds the strategic relations that the two countries share and their keenness to further enhance them so as to realise the interests of both peoples,” a statement said.

– ‘Brother countries’ –

The presidents of leftist regimes in Venezuela and Bolivia congratulated Putin for an “overwhelming” victory.

Russia and Venezuela are “brother countries” as both must “face the frequent manoeuvres of imperialism” to “impose doctrines of world supremacy,” said President Nicolas Maduro.

Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Twitter that Putin’s win “guarantees geopolitical equilibrium and world peace before the onslaught of imperialism”.

– ‘Health and happiness’ –

Saudi Arabia’s new strongman, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his father King Salman wished Putin “constant good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity”.