Berlin does not recognize Vladimir Putin’s electoral victory as legitimate.

Berlin made it clear on Monday that it does not recognize Vladimir Putin’s electoral victory as legitimate. The federal government does not consider the elections in Russia as “free and fair,” said government deputy spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann, adding that the chancellor would not congratulate Putin.

“They were not democratic elections. The outcome was clearly predetermined, and the electoral campaign was characterized by an atmosphere of intimidation,” said Hoffmann and, in response to a question, pointed out that the chancellor “did not congratulate” Vladimir Putin.

“You know that we do not consider these so-called elections as free or fair. The outcome was clearly predetermined. In our opinion, these were not democratic elections. Real candidates were not allowed. There was also an atmosphere of intimidation and arrests. There is no freedom of speech in Russia. As the chancellor has already stated, Russia is now a dictatorship and is autocratically ruled by Vladimir Putin,” said the government deputy spokesperson, describing the process in the occupied Ukrainian territories as “extremely problematic,” emphasizing that it should be condemned.

“We do not recognize it. Only Ukraine has the right to hold elections in these territories. This is our assessment, and this is why the chancellor has not extended his congratulations,” Hoffman added.