Putin Sees Chance for Ukraine Peace Deal but Cites Ukrainian Attacks as Obstacle

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday there is a chance of a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine, but cited Ukrainian attacks on shipping and a call for civilian aircraft to avoid Russian airspace as complicating factors. Putin told an economic forum in Russia's Far East that countries including the U.S. and China were ready to support a settlement, though he stressed the conflict must be resolved by Russia and Ukraine. He described Ukrainian actions against merchant ships and reported threats to civilian aircraft as "acts of state terrorism" hindering bilateral talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned airlines this week that drone presence made Russian skies dangerous, while Kyiv urged the U.N. aviation agency to ban operations in Russian airspace. No peace talks have occurred since February, with both sides escalating long-range air and sea attacks.