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Vladimir Putin has declared Russia is ready for peace talks as Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries trigger fuel shortages and market turmoil across the country.

Meanwhile, the UN has begun evacuating 11,000 stranded sailors from the Strait of Hormuz, and China has sailed its most advanced carrier through the Taiwan Strait.

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Major Story

🇷🇺🇺🇦 Putin declares Russia ready for peace talks as refinery strikes bite

Vladimir Putin has declared Russia ready for peace talks with Ukraine on the basis of the 2022 Istanbul agreements, as Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have doubled since the start of 2026, including a major attack on a Moscow refinery last week.

Putin characterised the strikes as an attempt to destabilise Russian society, calling on his government to take additional measures to deal with the consequences as fuel shortages emerged across the country.

Numerous Russian regions have reported restrictions on fuel sales, rising oil product prices and long queues at filling stations, with the rouble weakening and Russian stocks falling to their lowest level in three years on Tuesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia was considering a diesel export ban and amendments to tax legislation to support the domestic fuel market, as oil companies delayed maintenance work and drew on reserves to meet demand.

The offer of talks came with no indication that Moscow was prepared to abandon its demand for Ukraine to surrender the remaining Donbas territory it currently holds, a position Kyiv has consistently rejected.

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