Putin floats 'chance' at peace with Ukraine as NATO chief warns Russia is becoming 'increasingly reckless'

Live updates

1. 10d ago

   Putin floats peace chance while ruling out talks with "terrorists"

   Vladimir Putin claims a peace deal remains possible but insists Russia and Ukraine must negotiate the end of the war together first. Despite this, Putin refuses to deal with those he labels Ukrainian "terrorists" and asserts Russia is winning on the battlefield. He claims Russian forces have advanced in the Donetsk region and surrounded some Ukrainian troops. Meanwhile, Putin warns that Ukraine will "crumble" and threatens massive energy strikes, though he acknowledges a need to keep negotiators in Kyiv for potential future settlements.

   Why it matters

   Russia is facing economic pressure from Ukrainian strikes and diplomatic warnings from NATO. The conflict has reached a stage where Putin is balancing battlefield aggression with the strategic retention of Ukrainian leadership for diplomatic leverage.

   What is confirmed

   • Vladimir Putin says a chance for a peace deal remains.
   • Putin states Russia and Ukraine must first agree on peace together.
   • Putin refuses to negotiate with people he characterizes as "terrorists".
   • Putin asserts Russia is winning on the battlefield.
   • Putin claims Russian forces advanced in the Donetsk region and surrounded some Ukrainian troops.
   • Putin states a Ukrainian aviation warning makes a peace deal harder.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A 40-day Ukrainian strike campaign cost Russia 1% of its GDP.
   • Ukraine perceives a "new dynamic" in peace efforts.
   • Putin praises U.S. mediators.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation of threatened massive energy strikes against Ukraine.
   • Official response from the Ukrainian government regarding the "new dynamic" in peace efforts.
   • Further Russian military movements in the Donetsk region.
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. Bloomberg.com — Putin Says Ukraine 40-Day Strike Campaign Cost Russia 1% of GDP
   2. Reuters — Putin says Russia has advanced in Donetsk region, surrounded some Ukrainian troops
   3. Meduza — Why doesn’t Russia kill Ukraine’s leaders? Putin says he needs ‘some kind of negotiators’ left in Kyiv — in case they decide to settle.
   4. Reuters — Putin says Russia is winning on battlefield, will not negotiate with 'terrorists'
   5. Kyiv Post — Putin Claims Ukraine Will ‘Crumble,’ Threatens Massive Energy Strikes and Rules Out Talks With ‘Terrorists’
   6. The Washington Post — Putin says he won’t deal with Ukrainian ‘terrorists’ but praises U.S. mediators
   7. CNN — It’s always Shark Week in Putin’s world. That doesn’t bode well for Trump’s Ukraine peace hopes
   8. CNBC — Putin floats 'chance' at peace with Ukraine as NATO chief warns Russia is becoming 'increasingly reckless'
   9. Bloomberg.com — Putin Says Russia and Ukraine Must First Agree on Peace Together
   10. Reuters — Putin cites chance of peace deal, Ukraine sees 'new dynamic'
   11. The Hindu — Putin cites chance of peace deal but says Ukrainian aviation warning makes it harder
   12. WION — Russia is winning on battlefield, will not negotiate with 'terrorists': Putin
   confidence 90%