Putin says all Ukraine peace proposals 'on the table', warns of Russian retaliation

Vladimir Putin said all settlement proposals in the Ukraine war remained possible, even as he accused Kyiv of fresh attacks. His remarks paired an opening on talks with a warning that Moscow would decide its response based on Russia's interests.

In Short

• Putin said Moscow was ready to resume talks after parliamentary elections
• He accused Ukraine of attacks on Moscow and Russian polling stations
• Putin warned Kyiv would face retaliatory strikes for provocative actions

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said all proposals for a settlement to the war in Ukraine remained on the table, while warning that Moscow would first assess what was in Russia’s best interests before deciding its next steps.

Speaking to journalists in St Petersburg, Putin said Moscow had been prepared to resume negotiations with Kyiv after Russia’s parliamentary elections last week, but accused Ukraine of carrying out attacks on Moscow and Russian polling stations.

“They are the ones who started it. Everywhere, on every front,” Putin said, warning that Ukraine would face a sustained Russian response.

“They should therefore be made to feel Russia’s retaliatory strikes and understand that no provocative actions, no stirring up the situation to secure a result, will work,” he added.

Putin said Russia’s response to Ukrainian attacks had contributed to Kyiv’s renewed calls for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations.

“They are all on the table. It’s all possible,” he said. “But after everything they have done, we will still have to think carefully about what we need to do in response.”

Ukraine has repeatedly said its strikes on Russian targets are a response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also called for direct negotiations to end the war.

Putin also claimed that Ukraine had attacked polling stations during Russia’s parliamentary elections, killing an election official and injuring others.

Russia has continued launching missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian military and energy targets, including facilities deep inside Russian territory.

Putin said Ukraine was also seeking talks because of difficulties countering Russia’s newer jet-powered drones, which he said fly at higher altitudes and are harder to intercept.

He accused Kyiv of provoking confrontation through attacks on St Petersburg during an international conference in June and on Moscow during Russia’s parliamentary elections.

Separately, Putin welcomed any “agreement of a positive nature” between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said his participation in the upcoming APEC summit in China would depend on developments inside Russia.

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