Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the war in Ukraine is approaching its conclusion, as the first day of a US-brokered ceasefire was marred by mutual accusations of violations from both Moscow and Kyiv. Putin made these remarks on Saturday after attending Russia's scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow, where he once again defended the Kremlin's military campaign in Ukraine and criticized continued Western support for Kyiv.
Putin Defends Military Campaign
The Russian leader told soldiers gathered at the event that they were confronting an aggressive force backed by NATO and insisted that Russia's objectives in the conflict remained justified. He accused Western countries of escalating tensions with Russia and expressed confidence that the war is nearing an end, though he acknowledged it remains a serious matter.
Putin also accused Western powers of expecting Russia to collapse under the pressure of the war. He claimed that they had spent months waiting for a crushing defeat of Russia and the collapse of its statehood, but that did not happen. He added that Western countries are now stuck in a groove from which they cannot escape.
Ceasefire Violations Accusations
Putin's comments came as both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a three-day ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. Despite the accusations, no major missile strikes were reported during the first day of the truce, though drone attacks and civilian casualties were recorded on both sides. Trump had described the ceasefire as a possible turning point in the conflict, hoping it would be the beginning of the end of a long, deadly, and hard-fought war.
Trump also mentioned that the ceasefire would include a planned prisoner exchange between both countries. However, the Kremlin later stated that there were currently no plans to extend the truce beyond the agreed period. Both sides had reportedly agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, although Putin claimed Moscow had not yet received formal proposals from Ukraine regarding the swap.
Potential Meeting with Zelenskyy
Putin expressed willingness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country, but only after all conditions for a peace agreement had been resolved. He emphasized that such a meeting should be the final point, not the negotiations themselves.
Victory Day Parade Reduced in Scale
This year's Victory Day parade in Moscow was significantly smaller than previous editions, with no military hardware displayed for the first time in nearly 20 years. The reduced scale followed increased security concerns after a series of long-range Ukrainian attacks in recent weeks. Authorities also imposed internet shutdowns during the event, citing security threats.
Putin used the ceremony to draw parallels between Russia's current military campaign and the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during World War II, a theme that has remained central to his political messaging throughout his presidency. He praised the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation, stating that they are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc, yet they move forward. He firmly believes that their cause is just.
The parade was attended mainly by leaders from Russia's allied nations, including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan, while North Korean soldiers also participated in the event.
The war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has become Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, with hundreds of thousands of people reportedly killed since fighting began.
