Putin Says Russia-Ukraine War May Be Nearing End, Open to Meeting Zelenskyy
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that the war between Russia and Ukraine could be nearing its conclusion, while also expressing readiness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country if a long-term peace agreement is finalised.
Speaking to reporters in Moscow after Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, Putin said, “I think the matter is coming to an end,” raising cautious optimism over possible diplomatic progress in the prolonged conflict.
The remarks came shortly after Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange involving 1,000 prisoners from each side.
Putin also signalled openness to direct engagement with Zelenskyy outside Russia, but clarified that such a meeting would only happen after a comprehensive peace framework is agreed upon.
“A meeting in a third country is also possible, but only after a peace treaty aimed at a long-term historic perspective is finalised. This should be a final deal, not the negotiations,” Putin said.
The Russian leader made the comments hours after addressing a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow, where he praised Russian troops fighting in Ukraine and described their military operation as a “just cause” against what he called aggression backed by NATO countries.
“Victory has always been and will be ours,” Putin declared during the ceremony held at Red Square.
This year’s Victory Day parade was notably subdued compared to previous years, with military equipment largely displayed through giant screens instead of traditional tank processions. Troops from North Korea also participated in the parade for the first time, acknowledging Pyongyang’s support for Moscow during the conflict.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump claimed that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to observe a temporary ceasefire from Saturday through Monday.
“This ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that discussions to end the war were continuing.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy later responded by announcing a symbolic truce during Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, though both sides later accused each other of violating ceasefire commitments.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has now stretched beyond four years, leaving hundreds of thousands dead, devastating large parts of Ukraine and straining Russia’s economy. Despite prolonged fighting, Russian forces still do not fully control the eastern Donbas region, where Ukrainian resistance continues.
Putin also criticised Western nations during his remarks, accusing “globalist elites” of fuelling the conflict by expanding NATO eastward after the fall of the Berlin Wall and drawing Ukraine closer to the European Union.
The possibility of renewed diplomacy comes amid growing international pressure to find a negotiated settlement to one of Europe’s deadliest conflicts in decades.
