Putin cites Trump’s peace overture as Russia readies compromises and air defence

At the International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in St Peterburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin said U.S. President Donald Trump is sincere about finding a solution to the war in Ukraine and that Russia is prepared to make compromises if Kyiv does the same, referring to a meeting in Anchorage.

Putin also announced that Russia will strengthen its air‑defence capabilities after recent Ukrainian drone attacks that struck an oil terminal and a naval base deep inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent an open letter to Putin proposing negotiations on neutral ground, after a large drone strike on St Peterburg that hit a fuel depot and other military targets.

Both leaders highlighted the growing economic and human costs of the conflict, with Russia facing war‑related budget pressure and Ukraine seeking an end to hostilities.