Vladimir Putin Suggests Ukraine War Is 'Coming to an End' Vladimir Putin has indicated that the Russia-Ukraine war is nearing its conclusion, a statement made shortly after delivering a subdued Victory Day parade in Moscow. The remarks followed a tense atmosphere in the Russian capital, where officials expressed concerns about the war's impact on the country's economy and international standing. Putin described the conflict as a "serious matter" but suggested it was moving toward resolution, emphasizing his willingness to engage in negotiations for new European security arrangements. He specifically named Germany’s former chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, as his preferred interlocutor for peace talks. The war, now in its fifth year, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction across Ukraine. Russia’s military has made limited progress in capturing the Donbas region, where Ukrainian forces have maintained a defensive line of fortified cities. Despite these advances, Moscow’s control over Ukrainian territory remains limited, with Russian operations slowing in recent months. Putin’s comments came amid a fragile ceasefire agreement, which began on Saturday, though both sides accused each other of violating the truce. The agreement also included a provision for the exchange of 1,000 prisoners each, though Russia reported no formal proposals from Ukraine on the matter. Putin’s remarks were delivered in the aftermath of a scaled-back Victory Day parade, the most restrained in years. The event featured minimal military hardware and a sparse attendance of foreign dignitaries, primarily leaders from Russia’s close allies. The parade’s subdued nature reflected growing internal anxiety in Moscow about the war’s prolonged duration and its economic toll.#ukraine #vladimir_putin #moscow #gerhard_schrder #donbas
