As far as France is concerned, Putin would have undoubtedly been happier with Le Pen in the Elysee Palace. He’s keen on anyone who will help him realize his dream of undermining the European Union, NATO and Western democratic institutions. And Macron’s win, however welcome to fans of liberal democracy, doesn’t do away with the fact that pro-Russian sentiment and populist rage remain potent in France. Sixty percent of French voters favored pro-Kremlin candidates in the first round of the presidential election. The traditional parties — the Socialists and the Gaullists — have essentially collapsed. Le Pen is no longer the “far right” — she’s got the right all to herself, and that could have a big impact on the parliamentary elections coming up soon. One way or another, Putin remains a major force in French politics.

And the rest of the world? Brexit is still moving ahead — a huge blow to the European Union and potentially to the continued existence of Britain itself, given that the Scots and Northern Irish are reluctant to join the rest of the country in abandoning Europe. Populist parties are still thriving across Europe, often abetted by anti-migrant propaganda from Moscow. This past weekend, the far-right Alternative for Germany won enough votes to put it into yet another state parliament, meaning that it will hold seats in 12 of 16 state legislatures. Yet European leaders in Brussels continue to wallow in complacency, doing nothing to address the simmering problems that are anchoring populism in the political scene. All this is music to Putin’s ears.

Things look even brighter in the United States. On Wednesday, President Trump greeted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak) with conspicuous warmth — a strange reception for representatives of a government who stand accused of direct meddling in a U.S. presidential election.