Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters after attending Russia’s Victory Day parade that he believes the conflict in Ukraine is “coming to an end.” He made the remark when asked whether Western assistance to Kyiv had gone too far, saying Western actions had escalated confrontation with Russia but that the situation was now moving toward a conclusion, while remaining serious.
Putin’s comments coincided with a US-brokered, three-day ceasefire being observed by both sides this weekend. The truce was announced on Friday by US President Donald Trump after negotiations facilitated by Washington. As part of the arrangement, the parties agreed to a large prisoner exchange; Putin said Moscow has yet to receive a response from Kyiv on that specific proposal.
European Council President Antonio Costa has indicated the European Union is willing to hold separate talks with Russia and Ukraine “when the right moment comes.” At a news conference, Putin was asked who he would trust to represent the EU in such discussions; he named former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, a well-known personal friend and long-time Western ally whose ties to Russian energy firms have drawn criticism in Germany.
German government sources, speaking to news agencies anonymously, said Putin’s suggestion was not credible because Moscow has not changed the conditions it sets for ending the war. Those officials added that a key test of Russia’s sincerity would be extending this weekend’s temporary ceasefire.
On the question of direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Putin said he would be prepared to meet, but only after core terms for a lasting peace had been agreed. He also commented on the conflict in Iran, expressing a hope for its swift resolution and warning that prolongation would be damaging for all parties.
Victory Day, which marks the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, was observed with a scaled-back parade in Moscow. Attendance was largely limited to leaders of states close to Russia, and, for the first time in nearly 20 years, no military hardware was displayed.
Putin emphasized that while he sees the confrontation diminishing, the matter is still serious and requires careful handling. Observers and European officials say practical steps—such as extending the ceasefire and concrete changes to Moscow’s demands—will be necessary to turn the weekend’s lull into a credible move toward lasting peace.