Russian Statesmen And Officials' Reactions To Putin's Election Win: 'As His Loyal Foot Soldiers, We Are Ready To Carry Out His Orders'

Russian officials praised the organization and results of the three-day voting in Russia on March 15-17, 2024, and condemned "external influence on the elections this time, the desire to derail and discredit them." The incumbent president Vladimir Putin, based on the results of processing 100 percent of protocols of the election commissions, gathered 87.28 percent of vote, while Nikolai Kharitonov received 4.31 percent, Vladislav Davankov received 3.85 percent, and Leonid Slutsky received 3.2 percent of the vote.[1]

After the elections, Putin stated: "When we are consolidated, and I think it has become clear to everyone: no matter who and how much they would like to intimidate us, no matter who and how much they would like to suppress us, our will, our consciousness – no one has ever succeeded in anything like this in history. It has not worked now and will not work in the future. Never."[2]

He also stated: "Voting incidents, such as attempts to spoil ballots, are 'undemocratic at the very least.' When you do not want to vote... because you do not support any of the candidates – it is one thing. But when you want to create problems for people who came to exercise their electoral rights, when you show no respect for their choice – it is quite a different matter."

Commenting on the "Noon against Putin" protests, which was an initiative to come on March 17 to polling stations at noon to vote against Putin or spoil the ballot, he added: "If the opposition thought that everyone should come and vote, no matter who they support, this is good... As far as I know, there was no particular effect."[3] It is worth noting that late opposition leader Alexei Navalny endorsed the "Noon against Putin" plan.[4] The independent Novaya Gazeta daily called the planned action "Navalny's political testament."

Source: (Vz.ru)

Following is an overview of the reactions to Putin's electoral victory:

Head of the Chechen Republic Kadyrov: "Like Millions Of Russian Citizens, I Am Immensely Proud That I Will Be Able To Continue Living And Working Under [Putin's] Competent And Effective Leadership"

Commenting on Putin's victory, the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram account: "Friends! The multinational people of our Fatherland made the only correct and most worthy choice of a candidate for the post of the head of the state at regular presidential election of Russian Federation. By the results of counting all the votes, the wisest and most far-sighted politician of our time – Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin – has been elected to this post!

Ramzan Kadyrov (Source: Chechnya.gov.ru)

"The residents of the Chechen Republic, as usual, gave him an absolute majority of their votes. In addition, in other regions of our Great Homeland – Russia, an overwhelming majority of citizens used their electoral right in favor of Vladimir Putin's candidacy. This means that every Russian citizen can be confident of a happy and safe future for our mighty and prosperous sovereign state.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the entire Chechen people, I sincerely congratulate Vladimir Putin on his convincing victory in the regular presidential election in Russia! Like millions of Russian citizens, I am immensely proud that I will be able to continue living and working under his competent and effective leadership.

"We, the residents of the Chechen Republic, owe Vladimir Putin our happy and prosperous life as [a constituent] part of the Russian Federation. It is thanks to his support for the course of our president, Hero of Russia Akhmad-Khadzhi Kadyrov, that we were able to achieve an unconditional victory over the representatives of international terrorist gangs, rebuild the republic from the ruins and become full-fledged citizens of our Great Motherland – Russia.

"I therefore responsibly declare that we will continue to fully support the course of our national leader, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin, whatever the cost. As his loyal foot soldiers, we are ready to carry out his orders of any complexity and, if necessary, to sacrifice ourselves for the sovereignty and well-being of our state.

Once again, I sincerely congratulate Vladimir Putin on his victory in the Russian presidential election! I wish him long life and boundless success on his creative path of establishing the power, greatness, and leading world role of our Great Homeland – Russia!" [5]

Kremlin Spokesman Peskov: U.S. Reaction To Putin's Victory Is "Verbal Gymnastics"

Commenting on the U.S. reaction to Putin's victory, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "No amount of verbal gymnastics will be able to belittle Putin's election victory and, most importantly, shatter people's faith in him."[6]

Peskov also stated: "The presidential election is over in our country. Incumbent President Vladimir Putin has indeed achieved something truly unique. The level of public support highlights his utter triumph as a candidate, and it is also the best evidence that our country's people support their president and rally around his policy course... The record-high voter turnout really speaks volumes about the level of the president's popular support."[7]

Chairman Of The Central Election Commission Pamfilova: 'The Degree Of Aggressive Influence [From Abroad] Was Unprecedented'

Commenting on the elections, Chairman of Russia's Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova stated: "The degree of aggressive influence [from abroad] was unprecedented. We have never experienced such a thing. There is always an external influence during the elections of all levels, we are used to it, it is a permanent issue. But the degree of external influence on the elections this time, the desire to derail and discredit them, was unprecedented.[8]

Ella Pamfilova (Source: Kremlin.ru)

"We did not want to demonstrate something or prove anything to anyone. We have proved to ourselves that we are an independent people who does not compare ourselves with other nations but does what it considers necessary for the development of the country. And [thus], we have unwittingly shown the West that we are also united."[9]

Former Russian President Medvedev: "This is No Child's Game"

On March 16, 2024, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Chairman of United Russia Dmitry Medvedev commented on his Telegram account: "All the scoundrels, who commit crimes at polling stations or near them (arson, vandalism, etc.) should remember that they can be prosecuted not [only] under Article 141 of the Russian Criminal Code 'Obstructing the exercise of electoral rights or the work of election commissions.'

Dmitry Medvedev (Source: TASS/Anton Novoderezhkin)

"They are traitors, and their deeds can be qualified much more strictly: under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code – high treason in the form of rendering any sort of assistance to a foreign state during the war.

"If their actions can be qualified as crimes, prescribed under Chapter 29 of the Russian Criminal Code (crimes against the foundations of the constitutional order and security of the state), then [such perpetrators should be persecuted] under these articles of the criminal law.

"This is not a child's game with matches or an innocent prank with 'zelyonka.'[10] This is direct assistance to those bastards who are shelling our cities today. Criminal activists at polling stations must realize that for their deeds they can be sentenced to 20 years of special regime [i.e., "Special regime penal colonies" – colonies with extremely strict conditions]..."[11]

On March 17, 2024, Medvedev wrote: "I congratulate Vladimir Putin on his brilliant victory in the Russian presidential election!"[12]

Russian Senator Klishas: Russia's "Electoral Sovereignty"

On March 17, 2024, Russian senator and chair of the Federation Council Committee on constitutional legislation and state construction Andrey Klishas commented on the election's result on his Telegram account: "The current Russian presidential election has demonstrated that electoral sovereignty, as a set of measures to ensure the fundamental principles of the electoral process, plays a crucial role in strengthening the entire state sovereignty.

Andrey Klishas (Source: X)

"In fact, thanks to it, a clear, protected from external influence, and based on compliance with the principles of electoral law, transmission of the genuine expression of the will of citizens during the elections of public authorities, that excludes any distortion of the choice of voters, is ensured.

"Russia's electoral sovereignty is maintained and strengthened by a system of various mechanisms, which is being improved from year to year, increasing the transparency and convenience of elections and their protection from external threats and factors. A number of such innovations were applied during the current presidential election.

"For example, three-day voting, aimed at providing an opportunity for the largest number of citizens to participate in the electoral process, is being used. Thanks in large part to this a record-high turnout at the current presidential election has been observed, according to preliminary data, it exceeded 73 percent.

"In addition, advances in the field of digitalization are being used for this purpose in the form of remote electronic voting (DEG), which allows citizens to make their choice without visiting a polling station."[13]

Presidential Candidate Davankov: "There is no doubt, of course, that the winner is Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin"

Commenting about the elections, presidential candidate from the "New People" ("Novie Ludi") party Vladislav Davankov stated: "We have seen the first preliminary results, but we had no doubts about them even before [the voting], because I have traveled through 29 regions and saw the support [for Vladimir Putin]. There is no doubt, of course, that the winner is Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin."[14]

Vladislav Davankov (Source: RIA Novosti/Kirill Zykov)

Deputy Secretary Of United Russia Party's General Council: "In The Elections We Gave An Answer To Those Who Seek To Destroy Us"

Commenting on Putin's victory, Sergey Perminov, deputy secretary of the General Council of the United Russia party, stated: "I believe that Putin's historic and record-breaking result really reflects the consolidation of our society. There can be no double interpretation here. The nation is acquiring a new quality before our eyes. Just as metal under high pressure becomes rigid, so we are becoming stronger in the face of today's global challenges... I was not surprised that people had come to vote with their whole families. Russia is a large community made up of such small cells. In conditions when we do everything to preserve traditional values, such an appeal to this institution is a natural reaction of society to the threats of the outside world...

"Many families realize that they are voting for their future. Putin has articulated his view of it. He said that Russia would be strong and prosperous. This vision cannot leave anyone indifferent. Every citizen sees this image taking shape and strives to make it real faster... In addition, these results are a broadcast of our unity to the outside world. The West perceives us as a nation without a future, whose resources can be used for its own development. Therefore, in the elections we gave an answer to those who seek to destroy us."[15]

Belarusian President Lukashenko: Putin's Victory Was "A Serious Signal To The West"

Commenting on Putin's electoral win, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said: "This was a serious signal to the West, which was banking on shaking the situation from inside Russia. If they can't do it on the frontline, then try it from the inside. This failed too."