Putin says Ukraine war is ‘coming to an end’ after Trump-brokered three-day ceasefire holds
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that he believes the war in Ukraine is “coming to an end,” speaking hours after a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow passed without incident thanks to a surprise three-day ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I think that the matter is coming to an end,” Putin told reporters, referring to what Moscow still calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine, according to the BBC. His comments came at a news conference following a subdued military parade on Red Square that featured no tanks or missiles — a first in recent years, as security concerns mounted over potential Ukrainian drone strikes on the event.
The ceasefire, announced by Trump late this week, suspended all kinetic activity between Russian and Ukrainian forces for 72 hours and included a prisoner swap, according to Fox News. Both Kyiv and Moscow agreed to observe the truce, and the parade proceeded without disruption.
Putin sets condition for meeting Zelensky
Putin also laid out a condition for any future talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “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,” Putin said, according to the BBC. He added that such a meeting would be for signing a final deal, not for negotiating one.
Why this matters: a fragile pause after years of war
The three-day ceasefire marks the first formal pause in hostilities since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and triggered the biggest breakdown in U.S.-Russia relations since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Russia’s Victory Day parade, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, has traditionally been a display of military might. This year’s scaled-back event underscored the toll the war has taken on Russia’s forces. AP News reported that the absence of heavy armor on Red Square highlighted growing security fears in Moscow after repeated Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Putin used his Victory Day speech to justify the war, calling Ukraine an “aggressive force” armed by NATO, according to the BBC. But his later, more conciliatory remarks suggested a possible shift in tone — or a tactical opening.
Iran warning and European talks looming
Putin also expressed hope that the separate Iran conflict would end soon, warning that “everyone would lose out” if it failed to do so, according to Hindustan Times. His comments came amid reports that European Union leaders are preparing for possible negotiations with Moscow, as the Financial Times revealed on Thursday.
Putin noted that his preferred interlocutor among European leaders is former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a long-time friend of Russia. The Kremlin has insisted that European countries must take the first step to restore ties, which were cut in 2022.
Perspective: what the ceasefire signals about the war’s trajectory
The brief truce and Putin’s “coming to an end” statement raise the question: is the war in Ukraine actually nearing a conclusion, or is this a tactical pause designed to reset the battlefield on Russia’s terms?
Analysts caution that the three-day ceasefire is temporary and limited in scope, and that Putin’s condition of a final peace deal before meeting Zelensky suggests he does not yet see the need for urgent diplomacy. However, the very fact that talks are being contemplated — and that a ceasefire held even briefly — marks a significant departure from months of deadlock.
Notably, Putin is the only side publicly declaring the war’s end is near; Ukraine has not yet issued a similar assessment. The Ukrainian government has consistently stated it will not accept a frozen conflict or a deal that cedes occupied territory without firm security guarantees. For now, the ball is in Europe’s court — and in Washington’s — as the 72-hour ceasefire nears its expiration.
Internal links
For more on how Ukraine responded to the ceasefire announcement, read Zelensky Says Moscow’s Victory Day Parade Now “Depends on Us” After Ukraine Ceasefire Fails.
On the economic front, the long war has also had ripple effects at home: see State Pension Age Rise to 67 Catches Thousands Off Guard — £12,500 Gap Looms.
What comes next?
As the ceasefire window closes, all eyes will be on whether Trump can extend the pause or convert it into a broader peace process. Putin’s comments suggest Moscow is open to talks — but only after the West makes the first move. With EU leaders reportedly readying for negotiations, the coming weeks could determine whether this brief ceasefire becomes a turning point or a fleeting exception in a brutal war.
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