
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent landslide election victory, with an unprecedented 87 percent of the vote, has raised serious concerns about the state of democracy in Russia and its implications for international relations. Despite widespread criticism of the election’s legitimacy, Putin has solidified his grip on power, positioning himself as an unyielding force on the world stage. The election, widely condemned as lacking democratic credibility, underscores Putin’s authoritarian rule and the suppression…