Moscow, Jan 27 (CTK) – Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman on his re-election as head of state today, the Kremlin press service has reported.
In his wire, Putin stressed he was prepared to continue the constructive cooperation with Zeman in bilateral and international issues.
“The supreme representative of the Russian state stressed that the election results confirmed Zeman’s high authority as an experienced and responsible politician who was pushing through the interests and desires of the Czech nation,” the Kremlin press service said.
Putin also appreciated “the principled” stance of Zeman in favour of the development of the friendly Russian-Czech relations and bilaterally advantageous cooperation, it added.
Putin wished Zeman good health and new successes in his work for the state.
Zeman has repeatedly spoken against the international sanctions imposed on Russia in reaction to the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Last year, Zeman called the annexation of Crimea a fait accompli and said Kiev and Moscow should agree on a compensation for it, either financial or in the form of oil and gas supplies. This provoked protests by Ukraine.