Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes Russia’s conflict with Ukraine is nearing an end while speaking to reporters following a scaled-back Victory Day military parade in Moscow commemorating the Soviet Union’s World War Two victory.
“I think that the matter is coming to an end,” he said, referring to what the Kremlin continues to describe as a “special military operation” in Ukraine, while also criticising Western nations for their continued backing of Kyiv.
This year’s annual Red Square parade featured a noticeably reduced display of military equipment, with tanks and missile systems absent amid heightened security concerns over the possibility of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting central Moscow.
A last-minute ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, brokered by US President Donald Trump, helped ease fears of potential strikes during the event, which concluded without incident.
Putin’s remarks came only hours after he used his Victory Day address to defend Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.
During the speech, the Russian leader described the conflict as a “just” war and accused Ukraine of acting as an “aggressive force” supported militarily by Nato countries.
Later, during a separate news conference, Putin again criticised Western support for Kyiv. “They (West) promised assistance and then began fuelling a confrontation with Russia that continues to this day. I think that the matter is coming to an end, but it is a serious matter.”
Russia first annexed Crimea and backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine in 2014 before launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Putin also stated that he would only agree to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once a long-term peace agreement had been finalised.
“A meeting in a third country is also possible, but only once final agreements have been reached on a peace treaty for a long-term historical perspective, to take part in this event and sign (treaty), but it must be a final step,” he continued.
The Russian president added that he was aware Zelensky had expressed willingness to hold direct talks, but cautioned that similar statements had been made before.
Putin further signalled openness to discussing a new European security framework, naming former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as his preferred negotiating partner.
Schröder, a longtime ally of Putin, has faced criticism in Europe over his involvement with Russian state-owned energy companies.
Last week, European Council President António Costa said he believed there was “potential” for the European Union to engage in future negotiations with Russia, adding that Zelensky appeared supportive of such discussions.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Costa said consultations were ongoing among EU leaders regarding possible talks with Moscow “when it comes to the right moment to do this”.
As part of the US-led ceasefire arrangement reached over the weekend, both Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each. However, Putin claimed on Saturday that Moscow had yet to receive confirmation from Kyiv regarding the swap.
For the first time in nearly 20 years, no major military hardware appeared during the Red Square parade, an event traditionally used by the Kremlin to showcase Russian military strength to both domestic and international audiences.
Attendance by international media outlets was also significantly reduced, with many foreign news organisations reportedly denied accreditation for the event.
