"We recommend everybody follow our suit," Russian president Putin told a news conference in Lisbon.

"Everything should remain within the legal fold. Ukraine is a large democratic state with developed democracy. It does not needs lessons in democracy," the Russian president said.

Putin noted that he "indeed congratulated one of the participants in the presidential race, following exit polls results."

However, the final announcement of the election results rests solely with Ukraine's Central Electoral Commission, he said.

Source: Itar-Tass