Putin Sends Clear Signal to Zelensky: 'We Will Find a Way to Respond'

Vladimir Putin attended the concluding sessions of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan. During the summit, the Russian president discussed bilateral relations and international agenda with the leaders of member states. Before leaving Bishkek, the head of state answered reporters' questions, the main points of which were presented by RIA Novosti.

The meeting with the media took place in the late hours of the evening, roughly around two o'clock local time. The conversation with journalists was not limited to the topics of the event and included a wide range of questions.

According to the Russian leader, the negotiation process regarding Ukraine is currently in a somewhat frozen state. At the same time, Moscow finds it easy to cooperate with representatives of US President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, whom Putin referred to as "always welcome guests." The goal for Russia is to achieve long-term peace, both in Ukraine and Europe, rather than just a temporary cessation of military operations.

Putin described Zelensky's threats to civilian aviation in Russian airspace as a declaration of "state terrorism." He emphasized that despite Kyiv's requests for personal meetings, "we do not negotiate with terrorists." In response to attempts to close Russian airspace, Moscow "will find a way to respond."

The day before, the Ukrainian armed forces had attempted to strike three Russian oil refineries. According to the head of state, the level of defense for these facilities has now completely changed, and only 10% of enterprises that were previously damaged remain to be repaired. The Russian armed forces are striking back at the opponent's infrastructure rather than the leadership of the Kyiv regime.

“We proceed from the fact that we need some people. If they understand that they want to resolve issues peacefully, rather than simply destroying our economy in 40 days and bringing us to our knees, and delivering another strategic blow... Then we need some negotiators there,” Putin clarified.

Additionally, the president refuted reports about a supposed mobilization being prepared in Russia this autumn, calling them false information.