The first to congratulate Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on the morning of 18 March were the leaders of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran.
In addition, Putin received congratulations from representatives of Latin America – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Bolivian President Luis Arce. They called Putin's "victory" "stunning" and "crushing".
The Syrian dictator was not late in congratulating Putin. "I congratulate you on your victory and re-election as President of the Russian Federation with an overwhelming majority of votes, which confirms the high confidence of the Russian people in you, in your national policy and in your strategic visions based on their (the people's) interests and on the high place that Russia occupies in the world," Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in a statement published on his Telegram channel.
At the same time, Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega declared Putin's "triumph" and noted that the elections in Russia were "exemplary and calm".
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel also expressed "sincere congratulations" on his re-election. North Korean President Kim Jong-un sent his congratulations to Putin through the North Korean embassy in Russia, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The content of the message was not disclosed.
"I congratulate His Excellency the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on his re-election and look forward to working with him to further strengthen Pakistan-Russia relations," Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif wrote on his Twitter page.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, sent a congratulatory telegram to Putin, wishing him success and expressing hope for further development and strengthening of relations between the two countries, the Sheikh's office said in a statement.
President of Algeria Abdelmajid Tebboun congratulated his counterpart Vladimir Putin on his re-election, the Algerian leader's office said.
According to the WAFA news agency, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in a telegram sent on the occasion of Putin's re-election, wished the Russian leader further success in fulfilling the high tasks entrusted to him, achieving the goals and aspirations of the friendly Russian people. The president "reaffirmed his pride in the spirit of friendship and solidarity that unites the two countries and their peoples, as well as his great appreciation for Russia's support for the rights of the Palestinian people," the agency reports.
Earlier, EU leaders expressed the opinion that the elections in Russia cannot be considered legal and free. This was stated by representatives of Germany, Poland and Lithuania.
Also, on 15 March, the first day of voting, White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said that "it is wrong to talk about free and fair elections in Russia".