MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Saturday that he believes the war in Ukraine is nearing its conclusion, a statement delivered just hours after a subdued Victory Day parade in the heart of the Russian capital. Speaking to reporters in the Kremlin, Putin said, "I think that the matter is coming to an end," referring to the conflict that has ravaged Europe since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The remarks, reported by Reuters, come amid a fragile three-day ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, which both Moscow and Kyiv have endorsed, along with an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war.
The Victory Day parade on May 9, a national holiday commemorating the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II, was notably scaled back this year. Instead of the traditional display of intercontinental ballistic missiles, tanks, and missile systems rolling down Red Square, organizers projected videos of Russian military hardware in action on large screens opposite the Kremlin walls. The event honors the 27 million Soviet citizens who died in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Putin used the occasion to vow victory in Ukraine, but his post-parade comments suggested a potential shift toward negotiations.
Putin's optimism about the war's end contrasts with the prolonged stalemate on the ground. Russian forces, which invaded Ukraine over two years ago, have been engaged in fighting for more than four years if counting earlier conflicts in the Donbas region. According to reports, Moscow controls just under one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, primarily in the east and south, but advances have slowed significantly this year. Kyiv's forces have held firm in fortress cities along the Donbas front line, where Russian troops have struggled to make substantial gains despite heavy bombardment.
The invasion has triggered the most severe crisis in Russia-West relations since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, with fears of nuclear escalation lingering throughout the conflict. Putin, who has led Russia as president or prime minister since December 31, 1999, blamed "globalist" Western leaders for the war's origins during his Kremlin remarks. He accused them of breaking promises not to expand NATO eastward after the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall and attempting to pull Ukraine into the European Union's sphere of influence.
In a sign of possible diplomatic openings, Putin expressed willingness to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe. When asked about potential talks with European leaders, he named former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as his preferred interlocutor. "For me personally, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Schroeder, is preferable," Putin said. Schroeder, a longtime associate of Putin and critic of Western sanctions on Russia, has been vocal in calling for dialogue despite his country's support for Ukraine.
The Kremlin's stance on peace talks has been inconsistent. Officials have stated that negotiations brokered during Trump's administration are currently on pause. Putin has repeatedly pledged to continue the "special military operation" until all of Russia's goals are met, including the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as Moscow describes its aims. However, the recent ceasefire suggests at least a temporary de-escalation. Trump, speaking from Washington, described the war as "the worst thing since World War Two in terms of life," estimating that 25,000 young soldiers die every month. He added, "I'd like to see it stop," and expressed hope for a "big extension" of the truce. No violations were reported from either side during the initial hours.
Ukraine and Russia had each declared unilateral ceasefires in recent days, only to accuse one another of breaches before agreeing to Trump's proposal, which runs from Saturday through Monday. The prisoner swap of 1,000 individuals underscores the humanitarian toll of the conflict, which has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. Swathes of Ukraine lie in ruins, with cities like Mariupol and Bakhmut reduced to rubble after prolonged sieges.
From Kyiv's perspective, the war remains a fight for survival against Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has not yet responded directly to Putin's latest comments, but Putin indicated that a meeting with him would only be possible after a lasting peace deal is secured. Zelenskiy has previously insisted on the full withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine's 1991 borders as preconditions for talks.
European leaders have taken a hard line against Russia. The European Council President Antonio Costa stated last week that there is "potential" for the EU to negotiate with Moscow on Europe's future security architecture. However, many in Brussels and other capitals view Putin as a war criminal and autocrat whose ambitions could extend to NATO members if not checked. They have dismissed Russian claims of Western provocation as baseless and have poured tens of billions of dollars in military aid, weapons, and intelligence into supporting Ukraine. Putin, in turn, portrays European powers as warmongers for their involvement.
The economic strain on Russia is mounting. The war has drained the country's $3 trillion economy through sanctions, military spending, and lost trade with the West. Relations with Europe are at their lowest point since the Cold War's nadir. In Moscow, there is growing anxiety about the conflict's duration and cost, even as state media promotes narratives of inevitable victory.
Putin's comments also arrive against the backdrop of internal Russian challenges. The Victory Day parade's reduced scale reflects the diversion of military resources to Ukraine, where fighting has outlasted the Soviet Union's entire World War II effort. Analysts note that while Russia has made territorial gains, the human and material costs are immense, with reports of high casualties on both sides though exact figures remain disputed.
Looking ahead, the ceasefire's success could pave the way for broader talks, but skepticism abounds. The Kremlin has tied any negotiations to the achievement of its war aims, while Ukraine and its allies demand accountability for alleged war crimes. Trump's involvement adds another layer, as his administration previously mediated early discussions that stalled. Whether Putin's overture signals genuine intent or tactical posturing remains unclear, but it has injected a note of cautious hope into a conflict that has defined global geopolitics for over two years.
Beyond the immediate military front, the war's implications ripple through energy markets, food supplies, and international alliances. Ukraine, once known as Europe's breadbasket, has seen its agricultural exports disrupted, contributing to global inflation. NATO has strengthened its eastern flank, with new members Finland and Sweden joining in response to the invasion. Russia's partnerships with China, Iran, and North Korea have deepened, providing alternative support amid Western isolation.
As the dust settles from Victory Day, eyes will be on whether the ceasefire holds and if diplomatic channels reopen. Putin's preference for Schroeder highlights his distrust of current Western leadership, but it also recalls a time of closer Russia-Europe ties under Schroeder's chancellorship from 1998 to 2005. For now, the path to peace appears fraught, with both sides entrenched in their narratives of justice and security.
In Washington, Trump's push for extension reflects a desire to prioritize de-escalation, potentially reshaping U.S. foreign policy. European nations, meanwhile, continue to rally behind Ukraine, with commitments to long-term aid. The coming days will test if Putin's words translate into action, or if the war grinds on, exacting further tolls on a weary continent.