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Secretary of State Antony Blinken has openly criticized Russia’s presidential elections following President Vladimir Putin’s overwhelming victory.

Blinken labeled the electoral process as “undemocratic,” highlighting the exclusion of two candidates opposed to the invasion of Ukraine from the ballot. In a statement, Blinken said, “Russia’s recent presidential election occurred in an environment of intense repression of independent voices and the imprisonment, death, or exile of virtually all genuine political opposition. The Kremlin has systematically marginalized groups advocating for democratic processes and rule of law, including election monitors.”

Secretary Blinken also discussed Russia’s grip on information censorship, saying, “Vladimir Putin is depriving Russian citizens of access to information, including to inform political participation.”

This criticism comes after Putin secured his position with approximately 87% of the vote, indicating a strong grip on power despite nearly 25 years of rule and growing dissent within Russia.