Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (September 3) there was a chance of a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine, but restarting talks was harder because of Ukrainian attacks on shipping and a call by Kyiv for civilian aircraft to avoid Russian airspace.

Putin said a number of countries including the U.S. and China were ready to support a peace settlement.

"Ultimately, however, the problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict — Russia and Ukraine," he told an economic forum in Russia's Far East. "We are grateful to everyone attempting to contribute to a settlement. Is there a chance? In my view, yes, there is."

But in response to a question, he said Ukrainian attacks on civilian merchant ships and "reported threats of attacks on civilian aircraft" were "acts of state terrorism," which he said "complicates the prospects for bilateral peace talks."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned airlines and insurance companies this week that the presence of Ukrainian drones had made Russian skies dangerous, although he said Ukraine would target only Russian military facilities and not threaten civilian aircraft.

On Wednesday, Ukraine urged the U.N.'s aviation agency to ask members to ban operations in Russian airspace. Ukraine has been cut off from international civil aviation because its own airspace is considered unsafe since Russia invaded in 2022.

After 4-1/2 years of war, the front line has been largely static and no peace talks have taken place since February. Each side has ramped up long-range air attacks deep inside the other's territory, while the war at sea has escalated sharply with attacks by both sides on ports and commercial shippin

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Putin blasts vessel seizure, threats against airports, says West becomes 'complicit in international terrorism'

VIDEO SHOWS: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYING THERE ARE CHANCES ON PEACE AGREEMENT BUT RUSSIA AND UKRAINE SHOULD AGREE FIRST / SAYING UKRAINE AERIAL THREATS COMPLICATE PEACE TALKS

COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW

SHOWS: VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 3, 2026) (HOST BROADCASTER - Access all)

1. RUSSIAN EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM PLENARY SESSION

2. HOST SPEAKING

3. GUESTS INCLUDING RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN ON STAGE

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"First and foremost, this problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict - namely, Russia and Ukraine. That is the correct approach. However, we are grateful to everyone attempting to contribute to a settlement of this issue. Are there chances for a resolution (to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict)? In my view, there are.

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:

"As for the points you raised - the seizure of civilian vessels, strikes against civilian merchant ships, and, even more so, the recent reports of threats to attack civilian aircraft - these are, of course, acts of state-sponsored terrorism. Undoubtedly, this complicates the prospects for bilateral peace negotiations. Incidentally, those who remain silent and ignore this - I am referring primarily to Ukraine’s Western allies - are becoming complicit in international terrorism."

7. AUDIENCE LISTENING

8. PLENARY SESSION IN PROGRESS