In a show of diplomatic distancing, the United States alongside most members of the European Union have opted out of attending Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony. The event, scheduled for May 7, will mark the start of another six-year term for Putin as the President of Russia.
While countries like France have decided to send delegates following a prior plea from Kyiv, this move indicates a split in Western strategies on engaging with the Russian President, amid the backdrop of the ongoing conflict following Russia’s comprehensive incursion into Ukraine over two years ago.
Widespread assessments by election specialists, observer groups, and media outlets have labeled the Russian Presidential election held from March 15 to 17 as the most manipulated electoral process in the modern era of the country. The falsification of votes is estimated to be between a minimum of 22 million to nearly 31.6 million, not accounting for the remote voting and the forced election under duress within Ukraine’s Russian-controlled regions. In addition, Russia conducted illegal voting proceedings in occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea, violations strongly condemned by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the eve of the inauguration, Ukraine urged its international allies and various global organizations to dismiss the legitimacy of the recent Russian presidential election as well as Putin’s upcoming term.
The United Kingdom and Canada have openly declared their absence for the occasion, and the EU as a body, represented by its ambassador to Russia, will similarly abstain, following suit with the majority of its member states.
Despite not participating in the event, the U.S. recognizes Putin as the President of Russia, as conveyed by U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on May 6.
During a media briefing, Miller emphasized the U.S. view of the recent election as neither transparent nor democratic, but acknowledged Putin as the incumbent head of state of Russia, stating, “he (Putin) is the president of Russia and is going to continue in that capacity.”
According to reports, about 20 EU member countries will skip the inauguration, with roughly seven expected to send envoys. France is amongst those that will be represented, joining Hungary and Slovakia, as indicated by two separate diplomatic insiders.
FAQs about the Diplomatic Stance on Putin’s Inauguration
- What is the general outlook of EU nations towards Putin’s inauguration?
Approximately 20 EU nations will not attend Putin’s inauguration, indicating a boycott, while a small minority will send representatives. - Have any countries beyond the EU and US publicly declined to participate?
The United Kingdom and Canada are two notable non-EU countries that have also confirmed they would not send representatives to the ceremony. - Does the US recognize Vladimir Putin as the President of Russia?
Yes, despite not attending the inauguration, the U.S. acknowledges Putin as the President of Russia, as stated by the U.S. State Department. - Why is there controversy surrounding the recent Russian presidential election?
The election has been labeled as the most rigged in Russia’s modern history, with accusations of massive voter fraud, particularly in areas occupied by Russian forces in Ukraine. - What is Ukraine’s stance on Putin’s legitimate rule?
Ukraine has appealed to the international community to not recognize the legitimacy of Russia’s presidential election results and Putin’s subsequent term.
Conclusion
The collective decision of the majority of European Union nations and the United States to abstain from Vladimir Putin’s upcoming inauguration ceremony is a significant diplomatic gesture. It demonstrates a unified stance in response to the extensive irregularities reported during the Russian presidential election and underlines the enduring tensions between the West and Russia post-Invasion of Ukraine. While certain countries have chosen to engage by sending representatives, it’s evident that the international community remains divided on how to navigate relations with Russia’s leadership.
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