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Putin Hails Uzbek Leader’s Election Win Before Results Come Out

  • Russia president congratulated Mirziyoyev on ‘convincing’ win
  • Call came before election officials declared he won with 80%
A campaign billboard for president and presidential candidate Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Termez. 

A campaign billboard for president and presidential candidate Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Termez. 

Photographer: Vyacheslav Oseledeko/AFP/Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Uzbekistan counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev in a phone call and a telegram on Monday for his “convincing victory” in presidential elections -- hours before the central Asian nation’s electoral commission had declared the results. 

Admittedly, Mirziyoyev, who took office in 2016 after the death of the long-serving autocrat Islam Karimov, faced little prospect of defeat in Sunday’s poll against four largely unknown opponents who failed even to take part in televised debates. Uzbekistan’s central election commission later declared Mirziyoyev the winner with 80% support.