The historic decision of the British people to leave the European Union is a victory of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a former US ambassador in Moscow, Michael McFaul, said.
"Shocked by Brexit vote! Losers: EU, UK, US, those that believe in utility of a strong, united, democratic Europe. Winners: Putin," McFaul tweeted.
"I genuinely complement Putin for his victory tonight on Brexit. Tonight is giant victory for Putin's foreign policy objectives," TASS cited him as saying.
Some 52% of UK citizens (17.41 million people) voted on Thursday for leaving the European Union, while 48% (16.14 million) were in favor of remaining part of the bloc. In total, the referendum was attended by more than 33.5 million people.
