Russian President Vladimir Putin called Ukraine a terrorist state on Wednesday and publicly questioned the purpose of peace negotiations with Kyiv following a series of deadly attacks on Russian soil.
During a televised meeting with Russian leaders on Wednesday, Mr. Putin accused Ukraine of orchestrating a series of deadly civilian bridge bombings in Russia over the weekend. He said the bombings were tantamount to “terrorist acts” and made him question how dedicated Kyiv is to peace.
“The current Kyiv regime does not need peace at all,” Mr. Putin said. “What is there to talk about? How can we negotiate with those who rely on terror?”
According to Russian investigators, Ukrainian actors detonated explosives on two bridges on Saturday, one in Bryansk and the other in Kursk. In his address, Mr. Putin said the bombings killed at least seven people and injured more than 100.
One of the bridges exploded just as a civilian traincar was passing underneath, putting nearly 400 lives in jeopardy, Mr. Putin said.
Since the start of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, Moscow has repeatedly accused Ukraine of sponsoring bomb attacks on civilian infrastructure and assassinating Russian officials. Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for the bridge attacks over the weekend.
The Ukrainian Security Service did admit to detonating 2,400 pounds of explosives on the Kerch Bridge earlier this week. The span is a key link between the Russian mainland and Crimea. The attack reportedly damaged the bridge’s foundations, but traffic resumed shortly after the attack.
In addition to the weekend’s bridge attacks, Ukraine launched an unprecedented drone attack on Russia targeting the nation’s airfields. According to reports, the drone attacks destroyed upwards of 40 Russian heavy bombers, constituting 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers.
The bridge attacks and other offensive operations launched by Ukraine this week seem to have rattled Russian leadership as peace negotiations between the two countries continue. Mr. Putin said Wednesday that the weekend attacks were intended to sabotage Monday’s peace talks in Istanbul.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the latest negotiations in Istanbul as “a political performance” and “artificial diplomacy” designed to stall for time, delay sanctions and convince the U.S. that Russia is engaged in dialogue.
The talks ultimately produced few results, with both sides refusing to cede ground on key issues like NATO membership for Ukraine and troop withdrawals from contested territory. However, both sides agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange that is scheduled to take place this weekend.
Kyiv has insisted that Russia agree to a temporary ceasefire while negotiations continue, but Mr. Putin has rejected those calls over concerns it would give Ukraine time to regroup.
“Why reward them by giving them a break from the combat, which will be used to pump the regime with Western arms, to continue their forced mobilization and to prepare different terrorist acts,” Mr. Putin said.
• This story is based in part on wire service reports.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.