Putin Says Drone Attacks Stall Ukraine Peace Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin told President Donald Trump by phone on Oct. 9, 2026, that Ukraine's drone attacks during State Duma elections disrupted immediate resumption of trilateral peace talks. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin had been prepared to resume negotiations after the vote, but attacks on Moscow, other cities, polling stations and election organizers on voting day disrupted that possibility. Ushakov said Moscow will now consider when talks with the United States and Ukraine can resume. The war began with Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Oct. 8 the conflict had reached a dangerous stalemate. Ushakov said the leaders also discussed Iran and bilateral cooperation, including intelligence and administrative contacts. Trump posted on Truth Social that Russia agreed to supply over 300,000 tons of diesel immediately to U.S. and global markets, another 500,000 tons in November, 1,000,000 tons thereafter, and 3,000,000 more based on refinery conditions. Putin said he was confident this would have a positive impact on the entire global economy. Trump linked diesel price-drop hopes to next month's U.S. midterms. Analysts cited said the supplies were unlikely to significantly affect prices. Talk timing is unresolved.