Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that the war between Russia and Ukraine may be approaching its conclusion, in what observers see as one of Moscow’s strongest indications yet that it could be open to a broader political settlement after more than four years of conflict.
Speaking to reporters at the Kremlin following Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on Saturday, Putin said he believed the conflict was nearing an end.
“I think that the matter is coming to an end,” the Russian leader stated.
Putin also disclosed that he was prepared to discuss new security arrangements for Europe and identified former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as his preferred negotiating partner.
His remarks came only hours after he used his Victory Day address in Moscow’s Red Square to justify Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine and accuse the NATO alliance of escalating the crisis.
During the annual ceremony commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Putin described Ukraine as an “aggressive force” allegedly backed by NATO countries.
This year’s military parade was noticeably smaller than in previous years.
Tanks, ballistic missiles and other heavy military hardware were absent from Red Square, while large digital screens instead displayed footage of Russian military operations in Ukraine.
Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 in what Moscow continued to describe as a “special military operation.”
The conflict has since evolved into the most serious confrontation between Russia and Western nations since the Cold War era.
Putin again blamed Western governments for the war, accusing them of violating assurances given after the collapse of the Berlin Wall by expanding NATO eastward and encouraging Ukraine’s closer integration with the European Union.
Although the Russian president has repeatedly vowed to continue military operations until Moscow achieves all its objectives, his latest comments appeared to signal a possible willingness to consider a long-term political solution.
The conflict has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, devastated large parts of Ukraine and significantly damaged relations between Russia and Europe.
Russian troops currently occupy close to one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, though military advances have slowed in recent months as fighting continues along several fronts.
Meanwhile, a temporary ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump from Saturday through Monday appeared to be holding, with both Moscow and Kyiv agreeing to exchange 1,000 prisoners.
“I’d like to see it stop. Russia-Ukraine, it’s the worst thing since World War Two in terms of life,” Trump said while speaking in Washington.
Reports indicated there were no immediate claims of ceasefire violations from either side during the truce period.
Putin also stated that a future meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remained possible, but only after both sides reached a lasting peace agreement.
European governments have continued to provide Ukraine with military and financial assistance throughout the conflict, while Moscow has repeatedly accused Western nations of prolonging the war through weapons deliveries and intelligence support.
