Vladimir Putin on Saturday declared that the war in Ukraine appeared to be “coming to an end”, delivering one of the clearest indications yet that Moscow may be increasingly open to moving the conflict toward a negotiated settlement after more than four years of intense fighting and geopolitical confrontation.
Putin made the remarks during Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, where this year’s events unfolded under unusually tight security and against the backdrop of an active but fragile US-backed ceasefire between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
“I think that the matter is coming to an end,” Putin told reporters during the commemorative events, immediately triggering global attention as diplomats and analysts interpreted the statement as a possible signal that diplomatic efforts behind the scenes may be gathering momentum.
The remarks came at a significant moment as both Russia and Ukraine officially began a three-day ceasefire proposed by Donald Trump, while simultaneously confirming an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners each in one of the largest wartime prisoner swaps since the conflict began in 2022.
Diplomatic observers noted that the Kremlin has largely spent the past several years projecting military strength and refusing to publicly suggest any weakening of its war objectives, making Putin’s latest comments particularly noteworthy.
One European diplomat privately remarked after the speech that there was now “a feeling that Moscow wants to signal that talks are no longer off the table,” reflecting growing speculation that discussions involving international intermediaries may already be advancing quietly.
This year’s Victory Day parade itself reflected the changing nature of the conflict and Russia’s current strategic posture. Unlike previous years, no tanks rolled across Red Square during the celebrations. Instead, large electronic displays showcased missiles, drones, and advanced fighter aircraft while soldiers who fought in Ukraine marched through the square under a heavy security presence.
During an eight-minute address, Putin praised Russian troops fighting in Ukraine and accused NATO of supporting what he described as an aggressive anti-Russian campaign.
Reports also suggested that North Korean soldiers, who are believed to have fought alongside Russian troops in the Kursk region, participated in the military procession during the celebrations.
Putin additionally hinted at how future diplomatic engagement with Europe might develop. When asked whether he remained open to dialogue with European leaders, he named former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as a figure he would still prefer to engage with.
“For me personally, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Schroeder, is preferable,” Putin said while responding to questions from reporters.
The Russian president was also asked whether he would agree to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly. Putin responded that such a meeting could only happen after both sides first reached an agreement on a broader and lasting peace framework.
The Kremlin has repeatedly argued that Western governments chose to sever communication channels with Moscow following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has maintained that future restoration of dialogue should begin with European capitals.
Meanwhile, Trump publicly called for the temporary ceasefire to evolve into a much longer pause in fighting, saying he hoped the current truce would become “a big extension.”
“I’d like to see it stop. Russia-Ukraine — it’s the worst thing since World War Two in terms of life,” Trump told reporters while speaking in Washington.
Despite deep mistrust between the two sides, there were no immediate reports of major ceasefire violations after the truce officially came into effect, although both countries had earlier accused each other of breaching previous unilateral pauses in fighting.
The war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has grown into Europe’s deadliest military conflict since World War II. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians are believed to have been killed or wounded, while large parts of Ukrainian infrastructure and cities have suffered widespread destruction.
The conflict has also severely damaged relations between Russia and Western countries, pushing tensions to levels frequently compared to the Cold War period.
Zelenskyy reacted cautiously to Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations and the ceasefire announcement, joking that Ukraine would “allow” Russia’s military parade to proceed and adding that Ukrainian weapons would not target Red Square during the commemorations.
