Alexei Navalny’s widow casts her vote in the Russian presidential election in Berlin. Putin comments on her husband’s death. More information in the news blog.
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Putin sees Russian forces in Ukraine as having a clear advantage
1:23 a.m.: Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin sees the Russian armed forces in Ukraine as having a clear advantage after conquering several towns and villages in the east of the country. “The initiative comes entirely from the Russian armed forces and in some areas our people are just mowing them down – the enemy,” Putin said on Monday night during an appearance at his campaign headquarters after his victory in the presidential election.
The Kremlin had presented the election as an opportunity for Russians to show their support for Russian military operations in Ukraine. The three-day vote was accompanied by numerous Ukrainian drone attacks. According to the Defense Ministry, eight regions in Russia were attacked with drones on Sunday night and Sunday morning alone. Pro-Ukrainian fighters also advanced into Russian border areas.
Putin: Open to a ceasefire during the Olympics
12:17 a.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is open to talks about a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Olympics. Putin said he was open to the idea expressed by France in a speech on Sunday evening, just hours after his re-election. However, the interests of the Russian military at the front would have to be taken into account.
The Olympic Games are in Paris from July 26th to August 11th. If there were to be talks about a possible peace with Ukraine, he would have to think about who he could discuss it with, Putin also said. He made it clear that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not an option.
Putin comments on Navalny’s death for the first time
10.30 p.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny as a “sad incident”. “As for Mr. Navalny. Yes, he died. This is a sad incident,” Putin said on Monday night at a press conference at his campaign headquarters that was broadcast by state television. Putin publicly called his opponent, who died in camp custody in mid-February, by name for the first time in years.
A few days before Navalny’s death, he, Putin, was told that there was the idea of exchanging Navalny for people imprisoned in the West. He agreed to such an exchange. And he said that Navalny should never return to Russia. The 47-year-old Navalny was sentenced to decades in prison in Russia and died in a prison camp in northern Russia in mid-February.
Putin: Open to talks about ceasefire during Olympics
10:28 p.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is open to talks about France’s proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Olympics. However, the interests of the Russian military at the front would have to be taken into account. The Olympic Games will take place in Paris from July 26th to August 11th.
Putin thanks Russians for taking part in election
10:14 p.m.: Russian head of state Vladimir Putin thanks his compatriots for taking part in the presidential election, from which he emerged as the clear winner, according to partial results. “We are a united team, all Russian citizens who came to the polling stations and voted,” Putin said in a speech to his campaign team that was broadcast on state television. The election results showed Russians’ “confidence” in his leadership.
Russia election: According to the first forecast, Putin is performing above expectations
7:05 p.m.: According to forecasts, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin won the presidential election, which was accompanied by allegations of manipulation, with at least 87 percent of the vote. Russian state television declared the 71-year-old the winner on Sunday after the polls closed based on several follow-up voter surveys. No real opposition candidates were allowed in the three-day vote. Here you can read more about it.