Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said he believed the war in Ukraine was “coming to an end”, even as he reiterated that Russia would continue pursuing its military objectives. His remarks came hours after Moscow held its most subdued Victory Day parade in years, marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
Speaking to reporters at the Kremlin, Putin said, “I think that the matter is coming to an end,” referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two.
Putin signals openness to security talks
Putin also indicated that he was open to discussing a new European security framework. He named former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as his preferred interlocutor for any such dialogue.
“For me personally, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Schroeder, is preferable,” Putin said.
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The Russian leader once again blamed Western countries for the conflict, accusing “globalist” leaders of breaking promises made after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. According to Putin, NATO’s eastward expansion and efforts to bring Ukraine closer to the European Union helped trigger the crisis.
The Kremlin has earlier said that peace negotiations backed by US President Donald Trump’s administration were currently on hold. However, Putin maintained that any meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would only happen after a long-term peace agreement is reached.
Victory Day parade scaled back
This year’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow appeared significantly toned down compared to previous years. Instead of showcasing tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles on Red Square, giant screens displayed footage of Russian military equipment being used in combat.
The annual May 9 event honours the estimated 27 million Soviet citizens who died during World War Two, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War.
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The conflict in Ukraine has now stretched beyond four years, longer than the Soviet Union’s direct involvement in World War Two. Russian forces currently control nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, though their advances have slowed in recent months.
Trump announces temporary ceasefire
Amid growing international concern, Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire from Saturday to Monday, a move supported by both Moscow and Kyiv. Russia and Ukraine also agreed 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. Twenty-five thousand young soldiers every month. It's crazy,” Trump said in Washington. He added that he would “like to see a big extension” of the ceasefire.
