Putin rejects Ukraine proposal to limit long-range strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will continue its military push to fully capture four Ukrainian regions, rejecting what he described as a Ukrainian proposal to scale back long-range attacks.

Speaking to Russian state television, Putin said Ukraine had suggested a mutual halt to long-range strikes as a possible step towards peace.

He dismissed the proposal, arguing it was intended to ease pressure on Ukrainian forces along the front line.

Putin said Russia remained focused on what he called the "complete liberation" of Donbas and Novorossiya, referring to Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — four regions Russia claims to have annexed but does not fully control.

He also said Russia needed to increase production of air defence systems in response to intensified Ukrainian drone attacks, particularly those targeting energy and oil infrastructure.

Putin acknowledged that the strikes had caused fuel shortages in some Russian regions, but said the country was managing the disruption.

The comments come as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled. Putin said Russia expects a resumption of US-led talks once the current phase of the US-Israel conflict with Iran is resolved.

He also suggested Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko could play a role in future peace efforts.