Vladimir Putin claims he will not interfere with the UK's General Election

Russian president Vladimir Putin has claimed he will not interfere in the UK’s upcoming General Election on Thursday, July 4, despite saying all political forces are hostile against his country.

‌Describing UK political parties as Russophobic, he said he held little hope of a better relationship with the UK in the event of Labour winning and Keir Starmer becoming prime minister after the summer election.

“In the context of our bilateral relations, there are hardly any forces on the British political landscape that demonstrate a sober approach to the prospects for bilateral relations,” his spokesman Dmitry Peskov, said.‌

All British political forces "are immersed in the abyss of crass Russophobia and a hostile attitude towards our country, therefore the elections won't change anything in the context of bilateral relations” he added. The general election was “for the most part…an internal affair of the United Kingdom. We never interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including the UK, and do not tolerate other countries, including the UK, doing so”.

Rishi Sunak on the campaign trail

‌Russia has recently complained about Britain interfering in the so-called Russian presidential election, concerning polling in invaded areas of Ukraine. Putin has a track record of seeking to influence Western elections while rigging his own polls in Russia.

Britain is set to go the polls after Rishi Sunak gave into increasing pressure to call a General Election sooner rather than later.