Russian President Putin said Ukraine’s “most sensitive economic sectors” could be targeted in response to attacks on economic targets in Russia.
Putin argued that the Ukrainian administration had “opened Pandora’s box” with attacks aimed at damaging the Russian economy and said Moscow would retaliate.
Russia and Ukraine target economic infrastructure
Ukraine increased its drone attacks on economic infrastructure that Russia considers important to its war capabilities during the summer. Oil refineries and the warehouses of companies selling goods online were among the targets.
Russia also carried out attacks against Ukraine’s economic infrastructure. These targets included facilities linked to grain exports through the Black Sea.
Putin says he does not expect a global food shortage
Putin argued that the attacks had put Ukraine’s agricultural exports at risk but would not cause a global food shortage. He said Russia could replace Ukraine’s exports, adding that although there were problems with shipments of Russian products, they would be resolved and there would be no supply shortage on global markets.
Russia withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal in 2023
Russia and Ukraine had previously adhered to an agreement aimed at protecting grain exports through the Black Sea, with Turkey acting as a mediator. Russia withdrew from the agreement in 2023.
Moscow makes realities on the ground a condition for peace talks
Putin reiterated Moscow’s position that it was open to peace talks. However, he argued that the negotiations should be based on realities on the ground rather than on what he described as “unusual” proposals that Ukraine had conveyed through mediators.
