‘Unsafe Russian skies’: Putin cites chance of peace deal but says Ukrainian aviation warning makes it harder

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (September 3, 2026) there was a chance of a ​peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine, but restarting talks was ‌harder because of Ukrainian attacks on shipping and a call ​by Kyiv for civilian aircraft to avoid Russian ⁠airspace. Putin said a number of countries including the U.S. and China were ready to support a peace settlement.“Ultimately, however, the problem must be resolved ‌by the countries involved in the conflict — Russia and Ukraine,” he told an economic forum in Russia’s Far East. “We ‌are grateful to everyone attempting to contribute to a settlement. Is ‌there ⁠a chance? In my view, yes, there is.”