Putin Says Ukraine Conflict 'Coming to an End' Amid Ceasefire and Parades Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed reporters after a scaled-back military parade in Moscow, stating that Russia’s conflict with Ukraine is nearing an end. The event, held to commemorate the Soviet victory in World War Two, marked a departure from previous displays of military might, with no tanks or missiles showcased due to security concerns. Authorities feared Ukraine might target Red Square with drones, a threat mitigated by a last-minute ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The parade proceeded without incident, reflecting the fragile truce between Moscow and Kyiv. In his remarks, Putin described the “special military operation” in Ukraine as a “just” war, accusing Kyiv of being an “aggressive force” backed by NATO. He condemned Western support for Ukraine, claiming it had fueled a “confrontation with Russia” that continues to this day. “I think that the matter is coming to an end,” he said, though he emphasized the gravity of the situation. The statement followed a previous assertion by Putin that Russia would only engage in peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once a lasting agreement was reached. He dismissed Zelensky’s recent willingness to meet as “not the first time” such claims had been made. The ceasefire, announced over the weekend, included a prisoner exchange of 1,000 detainees from each side. However, Putin noted that Russia had not yet received formal communication from Ukraine regarding the swap. The agreement, part of a U.S.-led effort to de-escalate tensions, was not elaborated on further in the source text.#us_president_trump #russian_president_putin #ukraine_conflict #soviet_victory_celebration #red_square_parade
