Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday suggested there was a “chance” for “peace” with Ukraine, but reiterated that Kiev’s warning to airlines to avoid Russian airspace amounted to “state terrorism.”
“Ultimately… the problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict: Russia and Ukraine,” he said in translated remarks at the Eastern Economic Forum in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok. “Is there a chance (for peace)? In my opinion, yes, there is.”
Putin’s comments come as efforts to broker an end to more than four years of war in Ukraine have stalled, with Kiev and Moscow divided over territory, security and Ukraine’s military alignment.
Efforts by the United States and Europe to bring the two sides closer to a deal have so far failed to lead to a settlement, despite US Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow last week to warn Russia against any escalation, according to media reports.
Putin’s assessment of the prospects for peace stands in contrast to NATO’s increasingly stern warnings about Russia’s military and hybrid activities around the alliance’s eastern flank.
NATO warning
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that Russia was becoming “increasingly reckless”, citing missiles and drones passing over Europe’s eastern flank and Russia’s alleged hybrid attack on Germany’s Leipzig airport last month.
“The danger posed by Russia is clear and we are working around the clock to prepare to protect the safety of our people,” Rutte said at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“If Russia thinks this threat will divide us or deter us from supporting Ukraine, they are wrong,” Rutte said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday urged airlines to avoid Russian airspace as Kiev steps up long-range drone operations inside Russia, including attacks on energy and military infrastructure.
President Zelenskiy said Russia’s airspace has become “completely unsafe” due to the number of drones flying in the sky. President Putin responded that the threat “is tantamount to declaring state terrorism,” adding that Russia would step up attacks on Ukraine.
Kiev is increasing its use of indigenous drones to attack targets far beyond the front lines, increasing the economic and military costs of Russia’s invasion of Ukrainian territory.
Meanwhile, the Russian military is stepping up missile attacks on Ukrainian cities as Kiev faces a shortage of air defense equipment.
— CNBC’s Sam Meredith contributed to this report
