Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there remains a possibility of ending the war in Ukraine, while stressing that any settlement would require a mutually agreed deal between Moscow and Kyiv.
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum, Putin said channels of communication with Ukraine remain open, primarily through intelligence services.
At the same time, he accused Kyiv of engaging in what he described as "state-sponsored terrorism", arguing that such actions undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
Putin praises Trump's mediation efforts
Putin also spoke positively about the role of US President Donald Trump, expressing support for his attempts to help broker a peace agreement.
According to the Russian leader, discussions are progressing through what he described as:
"Positive and constructive work."
Putin added that Russia continues to maintain contacts with the United States and remains interested in fully restoring bilateral relations.
However, he said the future of those efforts will also depend on the policies adopted by the Trump administration.
Russia condemns Norwegian ship seizure
Separately, Russia criticised Norway's seizure of a Russian vessel in the Arctic after Norwegian authorities moved to enforce a $4.22 billion arbitration award granted to Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz.
The dispute stems from the confiscation of Naftogaz assets in Crimea following Russia's annexation of the peninsula in 2014.
The vessel, Professor Molchanov, was detained near Norway's Svalbard archipelago after what Naftogaz's legal representatives described as a 24-hour standoff involving the Norwegian Coast Guard.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, quoted by state news agency TASS, described the seizure as:
"Piracy."
Naftogaz seeks enforcement of arbitration award
Naftogaz has pursued compensation claims against Russia since 2016, seeking damages for assets lost in Crimea.
In April 2023, an arbitration tribunal in The Hague ordered Russia to pay $4.22 billion, plus interest and legal costs. Moscow has not complied with the ruling.
Acting Naftogaz chief executive Serhii Fedorenko said:
"Russia cannot avoid responsibility simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitration award."
According to law firm Covington, which represents Naftogaz, the vessel had been monitored for months before legal action was taken.
Ahead of its arrival in Svalbard en route to Barentsburg, a Russian mining settlement, Naftogaz lawyers secured a Norwegian court order authorising the vessel's arrest and potential forced sale.
The application was approved on Monday by a Norwegian district court.
The court ordered the Governor of Svalbard to enforce the ruling, inspect the vessel and ensure it could not leave the area.
The governor's office subsequently confirmed that the ship had been detained and would remain in Svalbard.
Naftogaz said it is pursuing enforcement measures in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Finland, where Russian assets remain frozen.
Russia has challenged the proceedings, arguing that it was not properly notified.
