Putin Rejects Ceasefire with Ukraine, Warns of Possible Nuclear Response

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected the possibility of a ceasefire involving long-range strikes between Russia and Ukraine, as Moscow intensifies its aerial attacks on Ukraine.

Putin made the remarks on Thursday, October 1, during the Valdai Discussion Club forum in Moscow.

He dismissed proposals for Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries while Russia halts strikes on Ukrainian ships and energy facilities, describing the idea as unreasonable.

Putin said Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries had affected the country’s economy, costing about 1 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). However, he said Russia was now responding with attacks on Ukrainian targets, including steel companies and railway supply networks.

On Thursday, a Russian drone struck a school in Kyiv, according to city officials. No casualties were reported, as children and staff were sheltering when the drone hit.

Despite rejecting a ceasefire on long-range attacks, Putin said Russia preferred to end the war through negotiations and wanted Ukraine to remain a neutral country after the conflict.

Warning over nuclear weapons

Putin also warned Western countries against escalating tensions over Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave located between Poland and Lithuania.

He said that if Russia were directly attacked, including in Kaliningrad, Moscow would consider using all weapons at its disposal, including nuclear weapons.

He further warned that continued escalation and increasingly severe retaliatory measures could lead to a dangerous point of no return.

Putin’s comments came after a September 22 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York. Zelenskyy said Kyiv was prepared to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities if Moscow also stopped attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share