Russia has mocked the "catastrophic" Liz Truss leadership calling the outgoing prime minister a "disgrace" and "illiterate".
The Tory leader resigned today in embarrassment after just 44 days in office in a statement outside 10 Downing Street.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: "Britain has never known such a disgrace of a prime minister."
The claim of illiteracy appears to refer to Truss' visit to Moscow shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine while she was British foreign minister.
In a meeting with Russia's veteran foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, she appeared to confuse two regions of Russia with Ukraine, triggering mockery by the Russian diplomat and across talk shows on Russian state TV.
In a less barbed response, French President Emmanuel Macron said he hoped the UK can find stability "as soon as possible".
"We want, above all else, stability," he added.
He said that on a "personal level" he is "always sad to see a colleague go".
Pressed again on the issue, the French leader reiterated: "I will not comment on internal politics, but I had very good meetings and exchanges with Truss.
"France wants the stability of the UK, specially in a war context that is so difficult. It is vital that the UK finds stability. Personally, I think it's sad to see a colleague leave."
But European national media outlets have been less kind.
One of France's leading daily newspapers said Truss quit after a "debacle" relating to her "mini-budget".
Another French national, Liberation, said her resignation came amid "political chaos" in the UK.
The paper added ther chaos originated in "something rancid in the Tory tea" which has transformed into "absolute, total and abject chaos".
Leading Germany daily Welt said: "Never has a prime minister burned his [sic] political capital faster than Liz Truss.
"After less than two months in power, the British Prime Minister's only option was to resign.
"For the British Conservatives, this is just the beginning of the problems."
Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin echoed Macron's comments, urging the UK to find a replacement as soon as possible "for stability".
He added that he sympathises with the outgoing prime minister on a personal level.
The White House also weighed in on today's events, with President Joe Biden saying through a statement: "The United States and the United Kingdom are strong Allies and enduring friends - and that fact will never change.
"I thank Prime Minister Liz Truss for her partnership on a range of issues including holding Russia accountable for its war against Ukraine. We will continue our close cooperation with the U.K. government as we work together to meet the global challenges our
nations face."
Liz Truss dramatically quit No 10 this afternoon after just 44 days in office - making her Britain's shortest-serving Prime Minister ever.
The Tory leader announced her resignation after weeks of turmoil in Downing Street and furious backbench MPs expressing no confidence.
In a statement of just 88 seconds, Ms Truss said she was unable to deliver on her mandate from the summer's Conservative Party leadership election.
In extraordinary scenes, she said will stay on in No10 until a successor is chosen via a leadership election to be held within the next week.
Speaking in Downing Street, she said: "I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party.
"This morning I met the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady.
"We've agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week.
She added: "This will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plan and maintain our country's economic stability and national security."
