Vladimir Putin: "In some countries, there is an attempt to ban political opponents who have already gained significant legitimacy. But democratic electoral procedures cannot be endlessly transformed into a farce, the will of the people cannot be manipulated, as has happened, let’s say, in Romania."

"In some countries, there is an attempt to ban political opponents who have already gained significant legitimacy and even greater trust from voters. We know, we have been through this.

The establishment does not want to relinquish power, resorts to the direct intimidation of its own citizens, exacerbates the situation at the external level, resorts to any tricks within their countries – increasingly often at the edge of the law or even beyond it. But democratic electoral procedures cannot be indefinitely transformed into a farce, the will of the people cannot be manipulated, as has happened, let’s say, in Romania," emphasized the Russian leader.