Putin Shows Willingness for Peace Talks and Zelensky Announces Use of First Ukrainian Ballistic Missile

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Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine has made the resumption of peace talks more difficult by carrying out drone attacks during the Russian State Duma elections, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the use of a locally developed ballistic missile by his army for the first time.

Putin said at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow in front of an international audience that Moscow was ready to resume negotiations regarding Ukraine on September 21, the day after the State Duma elections.

He continued that more than 1,600 drones were launched at Moscow, and pointed out that polling stations in other regions of Russia were under continuous attack.

Putin added that Ukraine was mistaken in betting on the success of attacks against Russia.

He said: "The enemy expected our society to disintegrate, but anyone can make a mistake."

The Kremlin leader clarified that Russia has remained ready to enter negotiations and conclude them as soon as possible.

He added: "However, certainly, on terms that are also acceptable to the Russian Federation and the Russian people."

However, Kyiv and its Western allies, as well as observers, are highly skeptical that Moscow is genuinely willing to engage in talks.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.

On another note, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that the Ukrainian army has used for the first time in the war against Russia a tactical ballistic missile of the "FB-7" type, developed locally.

Zelensky wrote in a social media post: "The first combat mission. Thank you for this result."

He added that the next mission is to increase missile production. Zelensky did not specify the target, but he posted a video of a missile launch at night.

The Ukrainian defense company "Fire Point" had previously postponed the first combat use of its ballistic missile on several occasions.

The company's management had initially announced that the first missile strikes on the Russian capital, Moscow, would be carried out in the middle of the year.

A few days ago, the company, which is rumored to be linked to Zelensky's inner circle, retracted its previous timeline and announced that the first use of the missile will take place later this year.

Putin: Russia does not intend to strike Western companies supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia does not intend to strike Western companies supplying weapons that produce military equipment for Ukraine, but he described the situation as a threat that Moscow is monitoring.

Putin explained, during a speech at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow in front of an international audience, that the greatest threat comes from Western countries supplying Ukraine with satellite data to carry out attacks on Russia.

His remarks came after Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, threatened to carry out direct strikes on military production facilities in Germany.

Putin added: "We do not threaten anyone, nor do we intend to attack anyone – neither in 2029, nor in 2030, nor in 2050."

The Russian president has repeatedly denied accusations made by Germany and other European Union countries that Russia intends to attack a NATO member state.

Before launching his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin also repeatedly stated that it did not intend to attack its smaller neighbor.

Putin continued: "But if we are subjected to aggression, we will have to respond."