Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere in Russia’s ongoing parliamentary election and said Kyiv was also creating difficulties for efforts to hold negotiations aimed at ending the war.

Speaking to Russia’s Military Industrial Commission, Putin said recent Ukrainian attacks showed that Kyiv was not serious about negotiations. He also said Russia needed to continue strengthening its nuclear capabilities and improving its air defence systems.

Putin referred to an alleged Ukrainian strike in the Russian controlled part of Zaporizhzhia, which he said killed the head of a local election commission. He argued that such incidents were making peace talks more difficult. Putin did not provide independent evidence for his claim that Ukraine was deliberately interfering in the election.

Russia began its three day parliamentary election on September 18, with voting scheduled to continue through September 20. Ukrainian officials have rejected the Russian vote in occupied Ukrainian territories and have described it as illegitimate.