Russian President Vladimir Putin has already received his first congratulations, including from China.
In Sunday's elections, 76.7 percent of Russians voted for 65-year-old Putin, who has been the country's leader since 1999. Some as president, some as prime minister. Putin's closest counter-candidate, Pavel Grudinin (representative of the Russian Communist Party) has received 11.8 percent and nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky 5.7 percent of votes.
Putin, who achieved his best election result, spoke after winning at the concert in Moscow, which was organized on the anniversary of the accession of Crimea to Russia.
The president, who received a new six-year term, thanked voters for support, while announcing that after the inauguration, which will take place on May 7, there will be changes in the government.
"I am referring to you, who have gathered here, and to all the others in the country, thank you for your support. We are together a great big team and I am a member of your team. In this outcome, I see a great recognition for everything we have done over the past years in difficult circumstances, you have shown confidence, and I hope that we will continue to act in such a strong and responsible way. We need to maintain unity."
"People have recognized the achievements of recent years " said Putin.
When asked about the presidential mandate in 2030, he laughed and said that this question reminded him of the question of whether he would live a hundred years.
Putin was congratulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who praised relations between the two countries and named them as the best ever.
In his words, they represent "an example of establishing a new type of international relations".
China is also ready to further promote relations, as well both regional and world peace, added Xi, who was recently confirmed for the second five-year term and was given the opportunity to remain in power for an indefinite period.
