Ukraine is becoming an ‘anti-Russia’, Putin says

Russian president accuses Ukraine’s leaders of overseeing a ‘cleansing’ of the country’s political space.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused neighbouring Ukraine of becoming “anti-Russia” and warned Moscow would be ready to react to what he said were threats to its own security amid soaring tensions with Kyiv. Putin’s comments on Friday came a day after a Ukrainian court placed Viktor Medvedchuk, a prominent pro-Russian politician and personal friend of the Russian president, under house arrest. Medvedchuk, who has promoted closer ties with Russia and acted as an intermediary between Moscow and Kyiv in the past, is being investigated over treason allegations he has dismissed as politically motivated. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.