Putin declares Russian forces advancing in Ukraine and rejects talks with Ukrainian leaders
President Vladimir Putin said Russia is winning on the battlefield, called Ukrainian leaders terrorists and said Moscow will not negotiate with them.
At a news conference following a Kyrgyzstan summit, President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian forces are progressing in Ukraine and labeled the Ukrainian leadership as terrorists, ruling out negotiations. He acknowledged that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory have caused real damage, highlighting drones as a particular challenge. Putin cited the capture of 270 square kilometres of the Donetsk region in August and said a large Ukrainian unit is surrounded.
He indicated ongoing offensives toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk and warned of possible large-scale strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The president also described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's warning about drones over Russian airspace as "state terrorism" and said Moscow would find a way to respond. While rejecting talks with the current Ukrainian leadership, he left open the possibility of "concrete" negotiations if new momentum emerges.
Why it matters
The statements shape expectations for the Ukraine conflict and signal Russia's stance on any diplomatic engagement.
How this story developed
- Aug 14 Russia claims strikes on Ukrainian rail hub and vessels as drones hit Russian ports
- Aug 25 Burnham announced plans to travel to the United States in September to lobby President Trump on Ukraine’s Patriot missile needs.
- Aug 25 CIA chief John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow for an unannounced meeting, a rare high-level contact between the United States and Russia.
- Aug 25 Washington warned allies to sever business ties with Iran under threat of secondary sanctions.
- Aug 26 John Ratcliffe was identified as being on the C‑17 that landed in Moscow.
- Aug 26 Kremlin spokesman said Putin had been informed of Ratcliffe's discussions with Russian security services.
- Aug 26 The UK announced the transfer of Storm Shadow missile design data to Ukraine.
- Aug 27 Ukrainian forces launched close to 800 drones toward Moscow in a coordinated operation.
- Aug 30 Russia announced preparation for large‑scale assaults on Ukraine’s energy facilities.
- Aug 30 Merz told ARD that the investigation into the August 4 incident at Leipzig/Halle airport is nearing completion and that a consensus exists within the German government on how to act. He indicated that the forthcoming measures will be coordinated with the European Union and NATO, ensuring allies are not surprised. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the event as a possible hybrid attack, hinting at foreign involvement, while reports suggest Russia may be blamed.
- Aug 30 Death toll rises to 38 in the Myla ammunition depot strike.
- Sep 1 Sixth consecutive day of Russian missile and drone attacks kills at least 12 in the Kyiv region.
- Sep 1 Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said the Moscow visit achieved its declared purpose of reducing regional tensions.
- Sep 1 Germany formally attributes the Leipzig airport drone incident to Russia.
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