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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that a peace agreement with Ukraine remained possible but claimed that Ukrainian attacks were complicating efforts to reach a settlement.
"We are grateful to everyone who is trying to contribute to resolving this issue. Is there a chance? In my opinion, yes, there is," Putin said at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum.
"Hijacking of civilian vessels, the attacks on civilian merchant ships, and, moreover, we've now heard about threats to attack civilian aircraft. This is, of course, a manifestation of state terrorism," Putin added. "This certainly complicates the possibility of holding bilateral peace talks."
The Russian president confirmed that contacts between Moscow and Kyiv were continuing through their intelligence and security services. He added that Moscow remained in contact with Washington and supported efforts to repair relations with the U.S.
On the other hand, Putin dismissed rumors of a possible mobilization in Russia, describing them as an information attack aimed at influencing the upcoming State Duma elections.
"This is an information attack by the enemy ahead of the State Duma elections, an attempt to influence the results," Putin said, referring to the rumors and describing their spread as a deliberate information operation.
He emphasized that there is currently no scenario requiring mobilization in Russia and added that Moscow faces no personnel shortages in the Central Military District.
Putin’s latest remarks come as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain largely stalled, with Moscow and Kyiv still far apart on the main terms of a settlement.
The biggest sticking points remain territory and security guarantees, with Russia seeking territorial concessions from Ukraine while Kyiv rejects giving up land and wants firm guarantees against another Russian attack.
Most recently, CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a secretive trip to Moscow for talks with senior Russian intelligence officials. During the visit, Ratcliffe reportedly discussed the possibility of a high-level meeting involving U.S. President Donald Trump, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the U.S. media reported.
Zelenskyy has also acknowledged recent U.S.-Russia contacts, saying Washington provided Kyiv with information about meetings held in Moscow. However, the Ukrainian president has remained cautious about the prospects for a breakthrough, adding that Kyiv "does not expect a quick end to this war."
Besides the peace efforts, Ukraine has also ramped up its drone campaign inside Russia, with Kyiv increasingly targeting infrastructure and warning that the growing attacks could disrupt civilian aviation.
Zelenskyy has urged airlines, insurers, and governments to reconsider flights through Russian airspace, arguing that the expanding drone operations are making the skies increasingly unsafe.
Ukraine has also formally asked the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to support a ban on civilian flights in Russian airspace, citing the risks created by intensified military activity.
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