Putin Says Ukraine War Nearing End, Demands Pre‑Set Peace Terms

TL;DR: Putin says the Russia‑Ukraine war is close to ending, yet he will only sit with Zelenskyy once the peace terms are fixed.

Context President Vladimir Putin made the remarks after Moscow’s Victory Day parade, a ceremony marking the Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany. His comments arrived amid a U.S.-backed three‑day ceasefire and ongoing prisoner‑swap talks, but broader negotiations remain stalled.

Key Facts - Putin told reporters the war is “coming to an end,” blaming Western military aid for prolonging the fight. - He added he would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy only after the details of a peace agreement are settled, not to negotiate the terms themselves. - Ukrainian officials reported at least three civilian deaths and roughly 150 combat engagements in the past 24 hours, indicating that fighting continues despite the ceasefire. - The Kremlin rejected a proposal for a trilateral meeting with Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump, preferring a direct Russia‑Ukraine dialogue. - Putin signaled willingness to discuss new security arrangements with Europe, naming former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a preferred interlocutor.

What It Means Putin’s assertion of an imminent end to the war serves both domestic and diplomatic purposes. Domestically, it projects confidence as Russia’s economy, strained by $3 trillion in sanctions, faces mounting pressure. Internationally, the demand for pre‑set peace terms shifts bargaining power to Moscow, forcing Kyiv to define its red lines before any face‑to‑face talks.

The insistence on settled terms could stall direct negotiations, especially as Ukraine continues to suffer casualties and infrastructure damage. Western leaders, including President Donald Trump, are pushing the current ceasefire toward a longer‑term pause, hoping it may become “the beginning of the end.”

Looking Ahead Watch for any shift in Kyiv’s stance on pre‑negotiated conditions and for signals from European capitals about Schröder’s potential role in mediating the next round of talks.