Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday offered his condolences to King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, wishing the new monarch “courage and resilience” after his mother’s passing.
“The most important events of the United Kingdom’s recent history are inextricably bound with the name of Her Majesty. For many decades Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed her subjects’ love and respect as well as authority on the world stage,” Putin said, according to a Kremlin statement.
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, died Thursday at age 96.
The Kremlin said Friday that Putin is “not considering” attending her funeral.
Although “Russians respected her for her wisdom,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, Putin’s attendance at the Queen’s funeral “is not being considered.”
Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, expressed his “deepest sympathyâ€
