Russia will remain 'difficult partner' after Putin re-election: Germany

Russian President Vladimir Putin. AP/PTI Photo

Russia will remain a "difficult partner" following President Vladimir Putin's re-election but will be needed to help resolve international problems, Germany's foreign minister said on Monday, questioning the vote's fairness.

Russia will "remain a difficult partner," but it is needed to resolve the big international problems," the minister said, adding Putin's re-election could not be called a "fair political contest."