Putin levels new accusations against Ukraine over peace talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a fresh round of unsubstantiated accusations against Ukraine, claiming Kyiv is undermining efforts to end the war, according to Reuters.

Speaking before members of a military-industrial commission, Putin alleged that Ukrainian authorities are in no hurry to hold elections at home, while simultaneously attempting to interfere in Russia's own parliamentary elections. He provided no evidence to support either claim.

Putin also repeated his earlier assertion that Ukraine has effectively become a dictatorship. He further claimed that Ukrainian strikes on targets inside Russia demonstrate that Kyiv's stated willingness to end the war is insincere.

Nuclear and defense priorities

During his remarks, the Russian leader also addressed the country's defense priorities. He stressed that developing Russia's nuclear triad — land-, sea- and air-based weapons systems — remains one of the Kremlin's top priorities, alongside continued improvements to missile defense systems.

The statements come as the international community continues searching for a way to end the war in Ukraine, with Moscow and Kyiv's positions on a potential ceasefire still far apart.