Putin warns adversaries use terror, threats to sabotage Ukraine talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the country’s “adversaries” of employing terrorism and threats in an effort to derail negotiations over Ukraine.

Speaking at a Federal Security Service (FSB) board meeting, he said that opponents, having failed to achieve a strategic defeat on the battlefield, have turned to unconventional tactics. He added that the number of terrorist-related crimes increased last year, with most incidents linked to Ukrainian intelligence services and foreign operatives, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Putin cited a recent attack at Moscow’s Savelovsky railway station, reportedly carried out by a person remotely recruited via the internet:

“It is already clear that, apparently, this was an ordinary modern method of recruitment—through the internet. The individual was handed an explosive device and then remotely detonated, along with the intended target—in this case, Interior Ministry personnel. Most likely, he was unaware of anything. This is the result of criminal, careless behavior.”

The Russian president stressed the urgent need to reinforce counterterrorism measures protecting critical infrastructure, including energy systems, transportation networks, and public gathering spaces. He also called for improvements to the national cybersecurity apparatus, stronger counterintelligence operations, and enhanced border security through better readiness at checkpoints and upgraded infrastructure.

According to Putin, Russia’s opponents are using all available means, including nuclear threats, to disrupt the Ukraine peace process.

“They do not know what else to do to derail this peace process, to interrupt efforts at diplomatic resolution. Everything is being done to provoke an incident and undermine what has been—let me put it carefully—achieved on this negotiation track,” he said, noting that the issue would be discussed in a closed session.

By Vafa Guliyeva