Putin reaffirms recognition of Belarus' election results

Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed on Saturday that he recognizes the results of Belarus' internationally contested elections that handed long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term.

Like China, Putin congratulated Lukashenko shortly after the vote.

Nothing in the world is ever "ideal," Putin said in an interview broadcast on state television. He also cast doubt on whether all those who doubted the results of the election were being honest.

The European Union has said it does not recognize the results, and for the first time in years, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) did not send observers to monitor the vote.

OSCE: 'Not invited'

"Why didn't they come?" asked Putin. "That immediately makes us think that basically a position on the results of the elections had already been prepared."

The OSCE has said that it did not send monitors because it did not receive an invitation, which is usually customary.