Putin awaits US negotiators, acknowledges energy shortages from Ukraine strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled that he expects the United States to resume mediation efforts in the Ukraine war.

In an interview with Pavel Zarubin, a correspondent for Russian state television, Putin said he expects the American delegation — which has visited Moscow several times — to return once the situation settles and tensions related to Iran ease, AFP reported Saturday (local time).

The remarks were widely interpreted as an expression of hope that Washington will resume its role as mediator in end-of-war negotiations once the Middle East crisis involving the US, Israel and Iran subsides.

"We are ready to continue negotiations and discuss all the details," Putin added.

Putin also suggested that Russia is experiencing energy shortages as a result of Ukrainian strikes.

In the interview released by the Kremlin, Putin said attacks on critical infrastructure — particularly energy infrastructure — "naturally cause problems," calling it "an obvious fact."

He acknowledged that "some degree of shortage is currently being observed" but said the situation had not reached "a serious level."

Ukraine recently launched what it calls a "40-day operation" aimed at accelerating an end to the war, intensifying airstrikes against Russia. The Crimean Peninsula, forcibly annexed by Russia in 2014, has been identified as a key target. With its supply lines cut off, Crimea declared a state of emergency on Friday, citing fuel shortages among other reasons.

End-of-war talks brokered by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had in effect stalled following the outbreak of the Middle East crisis.

Putin also said Sunday that Russia is "going through difficult times," citing the Ukraine war and other external pressures.

Speaking at an event for his ruling United Russia party, Putin said Russia can only exist as a strong and independent state — and that without that strength, it cannot survive, according to Tass.

Putin said Russia is facing "harsh and unprecedented pressure from Western elites," accusing the West of seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, destabilize its political situation and sow unrest.

He said Ukraine "deliberately targets civilians and civilian facilities, and openly recruits insurgents within our country to carry out sabotage and acts of terrorism." Putin added that "Russia has always been great and has prevailed thanks to national unity. Those who envy us try to undermine, weaken and cast doubt on our unity — but they will never succeed."