Russian President Vladimir Putin won a fifth term with 87% of the vote and will lead the country until 2030. Putin’s victory has been dismissed by western countries as not a genuine reflection of the president’s popularity. What does Putin’s new term mean for Russia and Ukraine? 

Joining the discussion: 

• Dmitry Babich is a journalist and political analyst. 
• Anton Fedyashin is a professor of History at American University. 
• Brian Becker is the Executive Director of the ANSWER Coalition.
• Einar Tangen is a senior fellow at the Taihe Institute and Chairman of Asia Narratives.

Russian election officials say Putin secures fifth term in presidential race that held little suspense https://t.co/YCYs0RnuLH

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 18, 2024

President Vladimir Putin won a record post-Soviet landslide in Russia's election, cementing his already tight grip on power in a victory he said showed Moscow had been right to stand up to the West and send its troops into Ukraine https://t.co/YmkundR4U0 pic.twitter.com/h3sTkefv3X

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 18, 2024