Is the Russia-Ukraine conflict ending? Putin shares new outlook

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that he believed the conflict in Ukraine was officially coming to an end. His remarks arrived just hours after a scaled-back Victory Parade in Moscow, the smallest in years.

“I think that the matter is coming to an end, Putin told reporters of the Russia-Ukraine war, Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two. He also said he would be willing to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe, and that his preferred negotiating partner would be Germany's former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.”

Putin suggested that the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine may finally be nearing a conclusion. 

A three-day ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump is currently holding, with no reported violations from either side. Both nations have also agreed to a major exchange of 1,000 prisoners.

Putin stated he is only willing to meet with President Zelenskiy once a lasting peace deal is officially reached. Putin expressed a preference for dealing with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder; meanwhile, EU leaders remain divided, though some see potential for new security negotiations.

At present, the conflict has now lasted over four years-longer than the Soviet Union fought in World War II. The struggle has drained Russia’s $3 trillion economy and resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, creating a “wave of anxiety” in Moscow. 

Russia currently controls just under one-fifth of Ukraine, but advances have slowed as they have been unable to fully capture the Donbas region. 

During the annual Victory Day celebrations, Russia replaced the traditional display of tanks and missiles in Red Square with video footage of military hardware on giant screens. The holiday honors the 27 million Soviet citizens who died during World War II.

Relations are at their lowest point since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Putin continues to blame ‘globalist’ Western leaders and NATO expansion for the crisis. 

Despite the ceasefire, the Kremlin maintains that its “special military operation” will continue until all original strategic goals are achieved. While European leaders cast Putin as an autocrat and potential threat to NATO, Putin dismisses these claims and labels European powers as “warmongers” for arming Ukraine.

Following the mutual accusations of ceasefire violations, Trump announced a three-day truce that has been supported by both the Kremlin and Kyiv.

“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 told reporters in Washington.

He added that he would “like to see a big extension” ​of the ceasefire.