Putin Says Ukraine Peace Deal Possible, Cites US and China Support, but Flags Obstacles

Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia's Far East on September 3, President Vladimir Putin said there was a chance of reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, adding that the United States, China, and other countries were ready to support a settlement. 'We are grateful to everyone attempting to contribute to a settlement. Is there a chance? In my view, yes, there is,' Putin said. He simultaneously argued that renewed Ukrainian strikes on shipping and Kyiv's call for civilian aircraft to avoid Russian airspace made restarting talks harder. Neither Putin nor Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who also spoke publicly the same day, cited concrete reasons to expect near-term progress.