Putin Surprises! Suddenly Speaks of Peace with Ukraine, Will the War End?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that there is still an opportunity to end the war with Ukraine through peaceful means. However, at the same time, Putin has once again accused Kyiv of committing ‘state terrorism’ after Ukraine warned airlines to avoid Russian airspace.
The statement was made by Putin on Thursday during an economic forum in Vladivostok, a city in eastern Russia. He stated that the resolution of the conflict must ultimately be determined by the two nations directly involved in the war, namely Russia and Ukraine.
“Ultimately… this issue must be resolved by the countries involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” said Putin in a translated statement, as reported by CNBC on Thursday (3/9/2026). “Is there a chance [for peace]? In my opinion, yes, there is.”
Putin’s remarks emerge at a time when diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which has lasted for over four years, have once again reached a stalemate. Moscow and Kyiv still hold differing views on several key issues, including disputed territories, security guarantees, and the direction of Ukraine’s military cooperation.
Efforts by the United States and European nations to push both parties towards an agreement have so far failed to yield a resolution. Last week, CIA Director John Ratcliffe was even reported to have visited Moscow to warn Russia against further escalation.
Putin’s view on the possibility of peace stands in stark contrast to the increasingly severe warnings issued by NATO regarding Russian military activity and hybrid operations in the alliance’s eastern flank.
NATO Highlights Russian Activity
Previously, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on Wednesday that Russia is becoming increasingly “reckless”. He referred to several incidents where missiles and drones crossed the airspace of Europe’s eastern flank, as well as alleged Russian hybrid attacks at Leipzig Airport, Germany, last month.
“The danger posed by Russia is clear, and we are working around the clock to ensure that we are prepared to protect our people,” Rutte said during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Rutte also warned Russia not to assume that threats could fracture the unity of NATO member states. “If Russia thinks we will be divided by such threats, or if they think we will be prevented from supporting Ukraine, they are mistaken,” he asserted.
On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday requested that airlines avoid Russian airspace. This appeal was made as Kyiv increased long-range drone operations into Russian territory.
Zelensky stated that the increasing number of drones operating in Russian skies makes the country’s airspace “completely unsafe”.
This statement subsequently drew a harsh response from Putin. The Russian President characterised the Ukrainian warning as a form of “state terrorism” and stated that Moscow would increase its attacks on Ukraine.
Recently, Kyiv has been increasingly relying on domestically produced drones to strike targets far behind the front lines. This strategy is being employed by Ukraine to increase both the economic and military costs borne by Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukrainian territory.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have also increased missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities. The intensity of these attacks has risen as Kyiv faces limitations in the supply of air defence systems to protect its territory.