Vladimir Putin Calls for Complete End to Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on September 2 that Russia seeks a complete end to the conflict in Ukraine rather than a freeze of current positions. Speaking after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Putin stated that Moscow is ready to negotiate with any party willing to do so, though he characterized the current Ukrainian leadership as terrorists with whom negotiation is impossible.

Putin claimed Russia is winning the war and advancing toward the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, noting the capture of 270 square kilometers in the Donetsk region during August. While acknowledging that Ukrainian drone attacks have caused real damage within Russia, he dismissed rumors of a new military mobilization as utter nonsense.

Russian forces are preparing massive strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, according to Putin. He vowed to respond if Ukrainian drones continue to disrupt Russian airspace.