In a surprising rhetorical shift following Moscow’s annual Victory Day commemorations, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its conclusion. Speaking to reporters
at the Kremlin on Saturday, Putin stated, “I think that the matter is coming to an end,” signalling a potential de-escalation after more than four years of intense warfare.
These remarks coincide with a fragile, three-day ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump, which came into effect on Saturday. While the truce has been marked by mutual accusations of minor violations, the absence of major strikes has provided a rare diplomatic window in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
The Road to a Peace Treaty
Addressing the possibility of direct diplomacy, Putin reaffirmed his readiness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, the Russian leader maintained a strict precondition: the meeting must be the final step to formalise a pre-negotiated peace agreement. “It is possible to meet in a third country, but only if final agreements have been reached on a peace treaty,” Putin clarified, adding that any such deal must be designed for a “long-term historical perspective.”
This stance suggests that while Moscow is open to a face-to-face summit, it expects the core territorial and security frameworks to be settled by negotiators beforehand. Putin also expressed gratitude towards the United States for facilitating current talks but emphasised that the resolution ultimately remains a matter between Russia and Ukraine.
A Scaled-Back Victory Day
The President’s comments followed a notably subdued Victory Day parade in Red Square. In place of the massive displays of intercontinental ballistic missiles and tanks that usually characterise the event, Russia utilised giant screens to broadcast videos of its military hardware. During his earlier address to soldiers, Putin described the war as a “just” struggle against an “aggressive force” backed by NATO, yet his later tone with reporters was significantly more conciliatory.
The Prisoner Exchange Stumbling Block
A major component of the current US-mediated effort is a proposed 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner-of-war exchange. Despite the ceasefire holding, Putin noted that Russia is still awaiting a formal response from Kyiv regarding the specific lists for the swap. He claimed that Moscow had already provided its preliminary data and urged the Ukrainian side to “hurry up” to facilitate the humanitarian gesture before the truce expires on May 11.
While the Kremlin has described hopes for a long-term extension of the ceasefire as “unfounded” for now, the dual messaging of military resolve and diplomatic readiness has left the international community cautiously optimistic that a formal peace process may finally be within reach.
