Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled a potential shift in the ongoing conflict, telling reporters that he believes the 'special military operation' is nearing its end.
His comments followed a notably diminished Victory Day parade in Moscow, where security concerns and a lack of military hardware—a departure from the usual display of tanks and missiles—highlighted the strain of the ongoing war. The event proceeded without incident only after a last-minute ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump.
Despite his rhetoric regarding a conclusion to the fighting, Putin maintained his aggressive stance, labeling the war a 'just' cause and accusing NATO of fueling the confrontation by arming the Ukrainian government.
The Russian leader insisted that any meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky would only occur after a final, long-term peace treaty is secured.
Furthermore, Putin expressed a preference for negotiating European security arrangements through his longtime associate, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, a figure widely criticized for his ties to Russian state energy interests.
While European Council President António Costa has suggested there is potential for negotiations, the reality on the ground remains tense, with Putin noting that Russia has yet to receive word from Kyiv regarding a prisoner swap agreed upon during the recent ceasefire.
Tags
