Putin dismisses cease-fire proposal as Russia and Ukraine intensify long-range strikes
Vladimir Putin rejected a Ukrainian-US offer for a mutual halt to long-range attacks, saying Russia will not stop its strikes.
During a press conference at the Valdai Forum, Vladimir Putin dismissed a proposal from Ukraine and the United States to pause long-range missile and drone strikes, labeling the idea ridiculous. He affirmed that Russian forces will keep striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure, ports and supply chains, while Kyiv continues to attack Russian refineries and oil depots. The statement coincided with U.S. sanctions on the Kremlin-backed financial network A7, which operates a ruble-pegged cryptocurrency.
Additional developments included the temporary detention of a Cypriot-flagged cargo in the Gulf of Finland by Russian border guards and NATO officials warning that any attack on a NATO-member factory could trigger Article 5. The broader context features escalating hybrid attacks across Europe and ongoing diplomatic friction over the war in Ukraine.
Why it matters
The refusal of a cease-fire heightens the risk of further escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 ICC leaders warn diplomatic isolation threatens global rule of law
- Sep 22 Trump told reporters he wants to stop sending diesel abroad, citing the surge in diesel costs driven by conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration is reviewing whether a full or partial ban is feasible. Republican Senate hopefuls, including Ashley Hinson, have urged the government to adopt the ban to ease price pressures on Americans.
- Sep 23 Rural GOP lawmakers have publicly demanded action on diesel exports ahead of the November election.
- Sep 23 Interim President Delcy Rodriguez told the UN General Assembly that Venezuela will hold elections as part of a transition to full democracy, without specifying a date.
- Sep 24 President Trump announced support for a diesel export ban.
- Sep 24 Reports allege that corporate managers pressured staff to vote for United Russia, suggesting coercion in the electoral process.
- Sep 24 The interim leader publicly pledged future elections.
- Sep 26 The European Union has asked the administration to keep U.S. diesel exports flowing amid the price surge.
- Sep 26 At the UN General Assembly, Sergej Lavrov declared that the threat to Russian security will be eliminated and that peaceful life will return, while accusing Europe of blocking peace talks.
- Sep 27 German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul held a bilateral meeting with Sergej Lavrov at the United Nations, the first such talks at this level since the conflict began.
- Sep 27 Rodriguez announced that Venezuela will hold future elections.
- Sep 28 Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski publicly urged Lavrov to end the war during a UN Security Council debate.
- Sep 29 The government announced a lift of the defence budget to a record level for the next fiscal year.
- Sep 29 Trump said he will look into limiting diesel exports.
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