Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is the latest to send congratulations to Vladimir Putin on his landslide win in an election in which he ran virtually unopposed.

State news agency MTI reported that Mr Orban sent his congratulations in a letter to the Russian leader and said ties between their countries were “based on mutual respect, allowing the discussion of important issues even in the current very difficult geopolitical situation”.

On Monday, Mr Putin claimed a comprehensive win and a record fifth term in office in an election where victory was never in doubt.

He claimed the result showed the Russian people had “trust” and “hope” in him, but many Western leaders have condemned it as a “sham”.