President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to use his re-election to promote international peace and stability.

Putin, whose country is having some sour relations with the West over the invasion of Crimea and the poisoning of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, with a nerve agent, won a resounding re-election for a fourth term on Sunday.

President Buhari in a letter extended “sincere congratulations” to him.

Buhari said Putin’s “success for the fourth time in the election is a clear testimony of the confidence” Russians have in his leadership.

He also urged his Russian counterpart to “see this victory as a base to continue to promote international peace and stability.”

President Buhari assured President Putin of “Nigeria’s commitment to a stronger and mutually beneficial relations with the Russian Federation under your watch.”