Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there can be no “negotiations with terrorists,” responding to Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s threat against civilian aviation over Russia.

Zelensky warned foreign airlines, insurers and governments on Tuesday that Ukraine’s expanding long-range drone campaign would increasingly endanger civilian flights over the country.

“The safe days in Russia’s skies are over,” Zelensky said.

Putin was asked to respond to the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday.

“If this was said out loud, then it is simply a move toward state terrorism,” Putin said.

“I would also draw attention to the fact that they are asking us to resume negotiations; they are asking for face-to-face meetings,” he added.

There are no negotiations with terrorists.

Putin added that Moscow would find a way to respond if Kiev’s threats resulted in any tragedies.

“Let no one doubt that,” he said.

Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone strikes on Russia in recent months, repeatedly grounding flights and forcing prolonged disruptions at airports as air defenses respond to incoming threats.

Kiev’s campaign has also systematically targeted civilian infrastructure, including Russian e-commerce warehouses, prompting Moscow to retaliate with drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s military-linked infrastructure and shipping facilities. The strikes have effectively crippled Ukraine’s main export route through its Black Sea ports.

In July, Putin warned that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory would be met with a far stronger response.

“We will respond in kind – only several times more powerfully,” he said.