President Putin made statements on negotiations with Ukraine, relations with Europe, and talks between the United States and China at a news conference following the 12th St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures. Addressing the possibility of resuming negotiations in a trilateral format involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine, Putin said the Ukrainian side had halted the talks in Istanbul.
Accusations over the Black Sea and targets in Russia
Putin claimed that Ukraine had targeted Moscow and polling stations with unmanned aerial vehicles during the elections held on September 18–20. He also alleged that Ukraine had been attacking oil refineries in Russia since June and had attempted to impose a blockade in the Black Sea.
Putin said Ukraine had damaged more than 100 vessels in the Black Sea, including ships flying the flags of Russia and other countries.
Reciprocal attacks in the energy sector and airspace
Putin said Russia had begun responding forcefully to these actions and claimed that the Russian military’s response had serious and destructive consequences for the other side. He said the option of a ceasefire had also been raised in some areas.
Putin identified energy and airspace as two areas where halting reciprocal attacks had been discussed. Claiming that Ukraine had initiated the attacks, Putin argued that actions intended to escalate tensions would not achieve the desired result and would further worsen the other side’s position.
Putin said proposals to resume negotiations were on the table and that steps toward an agreement could be taken. He said Russia would make all its decisions, including whether to resume negotiations, based on its own interests.
Putin comments on a conflict with Europe
Putin claimed that European countries were deliberately escalating the situation and said Russia was not preparing for a conflict with Europe and had no plan to do so. Saying there was no reason to increase tensions with Europe, Putin alleged that Europe was using Ukraine as a tool in its struggle against Russia.
Support for U.S.-China negotiations
Putin also assessed the meeting in Washington between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Saying he welcomed the negotiations between the United States and China, Putin noted that the two countries were the world’s largest economies.
Putin said how the problems caused by U.S. sanctions would be resolved and what agreements would be reached between the two countries would affect the global economy, including Russia’s economy. He said relations between Russia and the United States were virtually nonexistent. Putin added that bilateral trade with China had reached $240 billion.
Intention to attend the APEC summit
President Putin announced that he intended to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit, scheduled to be held in November in Shenzhen, China. Putin said the decision to attend the summit would depend on the domestic situation in Russia.
