Speaking at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin said that "a chance for a settlement on Ukraine still exists." He added that Russia is "grateful to everyone who tries to contribute to the settlement of this issue," but stressed that "above all, Russia and Ukraine must agree between themselves." He did not provide specific details of possible contacts.
Putin said contacts between Moscow and Kyiv via intelligence channels are ongoing. "How much they lead to a peace agreement, I find it hard to say now, given the statements we have heard recently from the top officials of Ukraine. But contacts do exist, they continue in the current mode," he said.
The Russian president again described Ukrainian warnings about threats to aircraft in Russian airspace as "state terrorism." He said such statements, as well as strikes on civilian merchant ships, "complicate the possibilities for holding bilateral peace talks." Days earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian skies are becoming "completely dangerous" due to regular drone attacks and called on airlines to take this into account, stressing that Ukraine poses no threat to civil aviation.
Putin also commented for the second time in three days on the topic of mobilization, calling rumors about it an "information attack by the enemy ahead of the State Duma elections." He said that "there is no scenario today that would require mobilization." He also called rumors about a possible freeze on Russians' bank deposits a "plant," and described payments from businesses to the budget as "voluntary contributions." Commenting on a decree on external management at enterprises that do not take measures to protect against drones, he said that "the state had no intention of nationalizing anything."
Putin also spoke about contacts with the U.S. administration, saying Russia is in favor of restoring relations in full format, but that this depends on the American side. According to him, U.S. President Donald Trump is set for constructive work, and all contacts via intelligence services and administration representatives "are working." Earlier, Trump again called on Russia and Ukraine to "stop this stupid war," noting he is ready to meet with Putin but considers a meeting appropriate only "when the war comes to an end." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would make efforts "in the coming weeks" to understand whether talks can be resumed.