Why doesn’t Russia kill Ukraine’s leaders? Putin says he needs ‘some kind of negotiators’ left in Kyiv

Live updates

1. 12d ago

   Putin explains restraint toward Ukrainian leaders as potential negotiators

   Vladimir Putin stated he has not killed Ukraine's leadership because he requires "some kind of negotiators" in Kyiv should they decide to settle. Despite this, Putin claims Russia is winning on the battlefield and refuses to negotiate with whom he labels "terrorists." He has threatened massive energy strikes and pledged increased attacks in Ukraine while claiming Russian forces have advanced in the Donetsk region and are currently 12 km from Sumy. Putin also described President Zelenskyy's threat to close Russian airspace as "state terrorism."

   Why it matters

   This reveals a contradiction between Putin's strategic need for a diplomatic counterpart and his public rhetoric labeling the current government as terrorists. It occurs as Russia faces economic pressure, with Putin admitting a 40-day Ukrainian strike campaign cost Russia 1% of GDP.

   What is confirmed

   • Vladimir Putin says he needs some kind of negotiators left in Kyiv in case they decide to settle.
   • Putin characterized President Zelenskyy's threat to close Russian airspace as state terrorism.
   • Putin stated that a 40-day Ukrainian strike campaign cost Russia 1% of GDP.
   • Putin claims Russia is winning on the battlefield and refuses to negotiate with terrorists.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russian forces have surrounded some Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk region.
   • Russian forces are 12 km from Sumy.
   • Ukraine will crumble.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of Russian troop positions near Sumy
   • Actual implementation of threatened massive energy strikes
   • Changes in the status of U.S. mediation efforts
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. The New York Times — Putin Pledges Increased Strikes in Ukraine and Support for Iran
   2. Bloomberg.com — Putin Says Ukraine 40-Day Strike Campaign Cost Russia 1% of GDP
   3. Deccan Herald — Putin says Zelenskyy's threat to close Russian airspace is 'state terrorism', Moscow will respond
   4. U.S. News & World Report — Putin Says Russia Has Advanced in Donetsk Region, Surrounded Some Ukrainian Troops
   5. Українська правда — Putin calls Zelenskyy's warning about Russian airspace "bid for state terrorism"
   6. 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.
   7. Reuters — Putin says Russia is winning on battlefield, will not negotiate with 'terrorists'
   8. ua.news — Putin claimed two fictitious victories for Russia
   9. Kyiv Post — Putin Claims Ukraine Will ‘Crumble,’ Threatens Massive Energy Strikes and Rules Out Talks With ‘Terrorists’
   10. ua.news — Putin stated that Russian forces are 12 km from Sumy; he had previously cited a distance of 10.5 km
   11. The Washington Post — Putin says he won’t deal with Ukrainian ‘terrorists’ but praises U.S. mediators
   confidence 90%