Russia | Putin says he believes the war in Ukraine is ending

In a statement that could signal a shift in Moscow's stance, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his belief that the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its end. While refraining from using the word 'war,' Putin's remarks, as reported by Reuters and Tass, suggest a potential de-escalation. This comes as Putin also indicated a willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but only under the condition that a lasting peace agreement is first established. This precondition underscores Russia's position on the necessity of a formal resolution before direct high-level engagement. Meanwhile, the fragile three-day ceasefire, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, has already seen mutual accusations of violations from both Kyiv and Moscow, casting a shadow over the prospects for immediate peace. The timing of Putin's comments also coincides with Russia's Victory Day celebrations, a significant national holiday commemorating the end of World War II, though this year's parade notably lacked heavy military hardware, possibly due to security concerns.

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Mielestäni [Ukrainan konflikti] on päättymässä