President Vladimir Putin won a historic post-Soviet landslide in Russia’s election, solidifying his tight hold on power and demonstrating Moscow’s right to stand up to the West by sending soldiers into Ukraine. Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel, stated that the outcome should send a message to the West that its leaders will have to deal with an empowered Russia, whether in war or peace, for many years to come.

The conclusion means Putin will begin a second six-year term, if completed, will see him surpass Josef Stalin as Russia’s longest-serving leader in more than 200 years.

According to an exit poll conducted by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM), Putin received 87.8% of the vote, the most ever recorded in Russia’s post-Soviet history.

According to the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM), Putin has an 87% rating.

The US, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other countries have stated that the vote was not free or fair since political opponents were imprisoned and censored.