Putin Says Ukraine Threats 'Complicate' Prospects for Peace Talks

Summary

Vladimir Putin said Russia and Ukraine maintain contacts but gave little sign of progress on a peace deal. He said Ukrainian threats against civilian shipping and aircraft complicate prospects for bilateral peace talks. He also described such actions as state-sponsored terrorism and said silent Western allies are becoming complicit.

• Putin says Russia and Ukraine still have ongoing contacts through special services.
• He cited seizures of civilian vessels and strikes on merchant ships.
• He called threats to attack civilian aircraft acts of state-sponsored terrorism.
• He said these actions complicate prospects for bilateral peace talks.
• Putin said Western allies who stay silent are becoming complicit.