Putin wishes Macron for second term as French Prez

Supporters of Mr Macron celebrate in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower/Sky news

Emmanuel Macron has become the first French president in 20 years to win a second term after comfortably beating far-right challenger Marine Le Pen.

He won by 58.55% to 41.45%, a greater margin than expected.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday joined several other world leaders to wish French leader Emmanuel Macron for securing a second term as the country’s president, news agency AFP reported.

Putin’s congratulatory message comes despite France being a part of several sanctions that the European Union has slapped on Russia for the Ukraine war, which is now in its third month. Macron has expressed support for banning Russian oil and coal as part of a new round of sanctions against the Kremlin after the Bucha killings.

China's President Xi Jinping also congratulated his French counterpart on his re-election.