Putin sees Ukraine peace deal chance but cites aviation warnings 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 aviation warnings as complicating factors. He acknowledged U.S. and Chinese support for a settlement. Putin called Ukrainian strikes on civilian merchant ships and threats against aircraft "acts of state terrorism" that hinder bilateral talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines about drone risks in Russian skies, while Kyiv urged the U.N. aviation agency to ban Russian airspace operations. No peace talks have occurred since February after four and a half years of war, with static front lines and escalating long-range attacks. Putin said Russia maintains contacts with President Donald Trump's administration, which seeks to broker a deal, including recent CIA-Russian intelligence meetings in Moscow.