Putin says civilian aircraft threats complicate Ukraine peace talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin said threats to attack civilian aircraft and ships constitute state terrorism and complicate prospects for peace talks with Ukraine, speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum on September 3, 2026. Putin stated that Western countries ignoring these threats become accomplices to international terrorism. His remarks followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's warning to airlines about dangers of flying over Russian territory, which Putin called a "bid for state terrorism." The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has urged nations to strengthen protection of civilian aircraft in conflict zones, reminding them of the prohibition on using weapons against civilian airliners.