John McCain Tells Russians Putin Doesn't Respect Them

Made comment in article published by Pravda.ru

US Senator John McCain has accused Russia's president of corruption, repression and self-serving rule in an opinion piece for a Russian website.

Mr McCain's column for Pravda.ru answers Vladimir Putin's broadside last weekin The New York Times.

In an opinion piece headlined "Russians Deserve Better Than Putin", Mr McCain accuses Mr Putin and his associates of punishing dissent.

"They don't respect your dignity or accept your authority over them," he said.

"They punish dissent and imprison opponents. They rig your elections. They control your media. They harass, threaten and banish organisations that defend your right to self-governance."