Because of Ukrainian attacks on shipping and a call by Kyiv for civilian aircraft to avoid Russian airspace, russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (September 3, 2026) there was a chance of a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine, but restarting talks was harder.
The head of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, met Russian spy chiefs in Moscow last week but neither side has revealed what was discussed. Mr. Mr. President Donald Trump, which has sought to broker a Ukraine peace deal. “We favour restoring full-scale relations with the United States. However, this does not depend on us alone; it depends on the American side. Contacts were taking place between the two countries’ intelligence agencies and through Mr.
Putin said a number of countries including the U.S. and China were ready to support a peace settlement. 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 Zelenskyy 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. Putin said Russia was continuing its contacts with the administration of U.S. But from what I understand, sense, and observe, President Trump is committed to such positive, constructive engagement,” he said. Trump’s envoys, he said.
