Putin Accuses Ukraine of Sabotaging Peace Negotiations

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine is unwilling to engage in genuine peace negotiations, asserting that Kyiv is actively taking steps to prevent a diplomatic resolution to the war. Addressing a meeting of Russia’s Military-Industrial Commission on Friday, Sept. 18, Putin alleged that Ukrainian calls for diplomatic engagement are disingenuous, state news agency Interfax reported.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Representatives of the Kyiv regime, the leadership in Kyiv, speak of peace and propose resuming so-called negotiations, but themselves commit such crimes, doing everything to ensure that there is no peace and no negotiations,” Putin claimed. The Russian leader contended that Moscow cannot be intimidated and insisted that recent Ukrainian actions demonstrate a refusal to negotiate. His remarks follow a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on defense-industrial and refining facilities across western and central Russia, as well as recurring cross-border engagements. Despite the Kremlin’s accusations, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly presented diplomatic initiatives to end hostilities, including proposals for an unconditional ceasefire and direct leader-level talks. However, Moscow has consistently conditioned any diplomatic engagement on sweeping political concessions, including international recognition of its illegal annexations and Kyiv ceding control of remaining areas in the Donbas. Other Topics of Interest ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 18, 2026 War in Ukraine - Latest update, key takeaways and map from the Institute for the Study of War on September 18, 2026. Putin’s true goal Putin’s assertions contrast sharply with assessments delivered earlier in the week by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who warned that the Kremlin leader remains fundamentally committed to destroying Ukrainian sovereignty rather than settling a localized territorial dispute. Zelensky stated that Putin’s ambition extends far beyond consolidating occupied frontline territory. “The problem is that we have to change Putin’s mind,” Zelensky said, responding to US mediation concepts focused on drawing new territorial borders. “He needs Ukraine. He needs Ukraine to be a part of Russia.” Zelensky emphasized that Kyiv remains prepared for an unconditional cessation of hostilities if Moscow halts combat operations along the existing line of contact, allowing international mediators to facilitate diplomatic talks. However, he firmly dismissed the concept of a “win-win” compromise promoted by external mediators, arguing that an unprovoked war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives cannot yield mutual benefit. The president reaffirmed his readiness to meet Putin directly if such an encounter could produce concrete progress toward a lasting peace, while reiterating that robust Western security guarantees remain essential to prevent Russia from using an operational pause to prepare future offensives. Washington weighs pre-settlement economic incentives The diplomatic impasse arrives amid reports that the administration of US President Donald Trump is exploring preliminary commercial agreements with Moscow before achieving a definitive peace settlement. Washington is assessing whether concluding bilateral economic deals could signal seriousness regarding a long-term diplomatic reset and incentivize Russian elites to support ending the war. A US official told the newspaper that business agreements could help persuade hardline figures surrounding Putin that Washington seeks a constructive bilateral framework. The prospective approach would mark a shift from previous US policy, which insisted that commercial ties and economic normalization could occur only after Russia ends its military aggression against Ukraine. Potential areas of cooperation previously raised by Moscow and Washington have encompassed energy partnerships, critical mineral investments, Arctic transit routes, and corporate joint ventures. During early September discussions in Moscow between Putin and US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that talks addressed potential large-scale, mutually beneficial commercial projects alongside conflict settlement concepts. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.