The solution to the war between Russia and Ukraine “is indeed possible,” declared Russian President Vladimir Putin this Thursday, although he refrained from specifying whether a peace agreement could be reached sooner rather than later or if Moscow still maintains its territorial demands. The Kremlin chief also expressed his desire to restore good relations with the United States, whose current government he praised for its stance on the European conflict.
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During his appearance at the Eastern Economic Forum, being held in Vladivostok, Putin stated that there are several countries, including the U.S. and China, willing to support a peace agreement.
But the Russian leader emphasized that in the end everything depends on the two countries at war. “Ultimately, the problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict: Russia and Ukraine. This is the correct approach. Nevertheless, we appreciate all those who try to contribute to a solution. Is there any possibility? In my opinion, yes, there is,” he said during his participation in this economic event in the capital of the Russian Far East.
Moscow wants negotiations based on “the reality on the ground”
Russia has repeatedly said it is open to negotiating with Ukraine. But it has not lowered its conditions to reach an agreement. The first of these conditions is that it wants those negotiations to be based on “the reality on the ground.” In Kremlin language, this means that Russia is not willing to cede Ukrainian territory under the control of its troops.
Putin indicated in Vladivostok, however, that restoring peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine has become complicated after the warning this week by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to airlines, saying that “Russian airspace is no longer safe” due to the presence of attack drones launched by Kyiv.
“The threats of attacks” by Ukraine “undoubtedly hinder the possibility of holding bilateral peace negotiations,” the Russian leader said.
He also insisted on his accusations of “terrorism” against the Ukrainian government. “Threats of attacks against civilian aircraft are, of course, a manifestation of state terrorism,” Putin asserted.
Still, the Russian leader admitted that despite the tensions, Russian and Ukrainian intelligence services still maintain contacts.
Putin claims Zelensky’s warnings are “a manifestation of state terrorism”
Last Tuesday Zelensky issued the following message: “Today we want to warn all airlines using Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone still using Russia’s main airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe.”
He then clarified: “Ukraine is not threatening civil aviation itself, not even a single civilian aircraft. There will simply be drones in Russian skies on such a scale that it must be taken into account.”
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After Zelensky’s warning, Putin already said on Tuesday that “you don’t negotiate with terrorists” and that Russia “will find tools to respond” to Ukrainian attacks.
Beyond the contacts that Russia and Ukraine may restore, “other countries are willing to support and help. And it’s not just the U.S., but also countries present here, like China, for example,” Putin said in Vladivostok.
The Russian leader praised the stance of the current Washington administration on the most serious European conflict since World War II, which has lasted more than four and a half years.
Possible three-way meeting between Putin, Trump, and Xi Jinping
Speaking about contacts with the U.S., Putin noted that they remain active. “And I hope they continue,” he said.
He explained that he is in favor of fully restoring relations with the U.S. And he assured that U.S. President Donald Trump is determined to do constructive work. “Everything is working. I hope that, in the end, they lead to a positive result,” Putin said.
In these contacts, the personal relationship between the Kremlin and White House occupants also plays an important role. Since Trump took office for his second presidential term in January 2025, the two leaders have held regular phone conversations. This year there have already been four such contacts, the last on July 4, U.S. Independence Day.
But the last face-to-face meeting between Putin and Trump was held on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage (Alaska). Last Wednesday, September 2, Trump expressed his willingness to meet again with the Kremlin chief. The U.S. president said he expects a new summit when a peace agreement on Ukraine is reached.
Shortly before, Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s advisor for international affairs, stated that both leaders could join Chinese leader Xi Jinping and hold a trilateral meeting during the upcoming APEC summit (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum), which will be held on November 18 and 19 in the Chinese city of Shenzhen.
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