Putin blames drone attacks For harder Ukraine talks

Sep 25

Oman TV attributes to Vladimir Putin the claim that Ukrainian drone attacks during Russia's Duma election made resuming peace talks harder. It relays his allegation of more than 1,600 drones directed at Moscow and continuing attacks on polling stations elsewhere. The anchor then describes continuing reciprocal drone and missile strikes on important areas and service facilities in Ukraine and Russia, without identifying a new dated attack, target or casualty count. The drone figures, responsibility and negotiating interpretation remain Putin's claims.

Answering reporters after the September 25 United Cultures Forum, Vladimir Putin says renewed negotiations and partial ceasefires remain possible but sets no date or venue and makes no acceptance announcement. Asked when Russia–U.S.–Ukraine talks might resume after the Duma election, he says Ukraine had signaled readiness before voting, then alleges attacks toward Moscow, on election workers, St. Petersburg's port, refineries, shipping and commercial warehouses. He attributes renewed Ukrainian interest in energy, air and Black Sea restraint to damaging Russian retaliation, and says decisions will follow Russian interests. These explanations, attack figures and claims about the effectiveness of Geran drones are Putin's account, not independently established findings. The correspondent recalls a February 17 round and attributes the subsequent pause chiefly to the Middle East conflict. Oman TV's October 2 brief reprises his claim that election-period Ukrainian drone attacks made resuming talks harder, including his Moscow drone figure and polling-station allegations. This is an attributed synopsis of the September 25 answer, not evidence of a new October 2 statement or a newly agreed negotiating round.