Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Putin Says Russia Is Winning, Rejects Talks With Terrorists
Vladimir Putin said Russia is doing well in its war with Ukraine.
He called Ukraine’s leaders “terrorists” and said Russia could not negotiate with them.
Putin also said Russia was willing to discuss ways to end the war.
He said those talks should not simply pause the fighting temporarily.
He welcomed possible help from Donald Trump’s representatives.
Putin admitted that Ukrainian attacks inside Russia had caused real damage.
He said drones were especially difficult to deal with.
He warned that Russia would respond if Ukrainian drone threats disrupted Russian airspace.
He also denied that Russia needed a new military mobilization.
Vladimir Putin said Russia was winning the war in Ukraine.
Putin described Ukraine’s leadership as “terrorists” with whom Moscow could not negotiate.
He acknowledged that Ukrainian attacks inside Russia had caused real damage, particularly through drones.
Putin said Moscow remained open to talks aimed at ending, not merely freezing, the war.
He called claims that Russia would need another military mobilization “utter nonsense.”
- Who
- Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Donald Trump’s envoys were referenced.
- What
- Putin said Russia was winning in Ukraine, rejected negotiations with Ukraine’s leadership as currently characterized by him, and said Moscow remained open to talks to end the war.
- When
- Tuesday, September 3.
- Where
- At a news conference following a summit in Kyrgyzstan.
- Why
- Putin said Ukrainian attacks, drone activity, and warnings about Russian airspace required a response, while negotiations should produce progress toward ending the war.
- Speaker
- Russian President Vladimir Putin
- Conflict
- War in Ukraine
- Putin’s battlefield assessment
- He said Russia was winning.
- Negotiation position
- Putin said Moscow was open to talks aimed at ending, rather than freezing, the war.
- Attacks inside Russia
- Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian attacks had inflicted real damage.
- Main military challenge cited
- Drones
- Mobilization claim
- Putin called rumors of a new Russian military mobilization “utter nonsense.”