Putin Says Russia Open to Talks on Ukraine but Won't Negotiate With Terrorists, Threatens Retaliation

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 1 that Russia is open to concrete negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, but drew a sharp distinction by refusing to engage with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he called a terrorist. The remarks came after Zelenskyy indicated Ukraine was prepared to close Russian airspace, a comment Putin dismissed with the statement that "no negotiations are held with terrorists" and a warning that Russia would respond.

Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian strikes have inflicted real damage on Russia, estimating the cost at roughly 1% of Russia's GDP, but characterized the impact as not critical and again pledged retaliation. He also dismissed domestic speculation about a new military mobilization as nonsense, projecting confidence in Russia's current battlefield position, which he described as winning.

On the question of whether Russia could strike British military facilities in Ukraine, Putin declined to confirm or deny specific targets, calling it a military secret, before adding that any military facility in Ukraine, British or otherwise, is a legitimate target. Despite the combative tone, Putin framed Russia's stated objective as securing long-term, lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe.