Putin: US, allies are trying to ‘split Russian society’ with war in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday is accusing the United States and its allies of trying to “split Russian society” following its invasion of Ukraine. 

Speaking at a meeting with top officials at the Prosecutor General’s office, Putin said Russia has come under “unprecedented Western sanctions” for its military campaign in Ukraine, which is now in its 61st day. 

He charged that the U.S, and its allies have sought to “split the Russian society and to destroy Russia from within,” adding that their plans have failed. 

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Putin urged Russian prosecutors to act more quickly to block unsanctioned demonstrations organized from abroad.  

He also noted that they should focus on exposing “open provocations” against the Russian military allegedly involving international media and social platforms. 

At one point during the meeting, Putin claimed Russia foiled a plot by a “terrorist group” to kill state TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyev, according to Reuters. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues via a video link in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, April 25.
(Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via Reuters)

The news outlet quoted Russian Federal Security Service leader Alexander Bortnikov as saying that a group of six neo-nationalist Russian citizens were trying to murder Solovyev on behalf of Ukraine’s State Security Service. 

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends Orthodox Easter mass led by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill at the Christ The Saviour Cathedral on Sunday, April 24 in Moscow, Russia.
(Getty Images)

But Ukraine said in a statement that it has “no plans to assassinate V. Solovyev,” Reuters reported. 

The meeting Monday comes hours ahead of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres planned visit Tuesday with Putin in Moscow. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.