Putin Says Russia-Ukraine Conflict Nearing End After Moscow Parade

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes Russia's conflict with Ukraine is coming to an end. He made the comment to reporters after a scaled-back military parade in Moscow that marked the Soviet victory in World War Two.

"I think that the matter is coming to an end," he said. Putin referred to the "special military operation" in Ukraine and condemned Western support for the Kyiv government.

A last-minute ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv, brokered by US President Donald Trump, lowered the risk of attack. The parade proceeded without incident.

In his speech, Putin described Russia's war as "just" and called Ukraine an "aggressive force" armed and supported by the whole NATO bloc.

At a later news conference, he addressed Western aid to Ukraine. "They promised assistance and then began fuelling a confrontation with Russia that continues to this day," Putin said. "I think that the matter is coming to an end, but it is a serious matter."

Putin said he would meet Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky only after a lasting peace deal. "A meeting in a third country is also possible, but only once final agreements have been reached on a peace treaty for a long-term historical perspective, to take part in this event and sign it, but it must be a final step," he added.

He noted reports that Zelensky wanted a personal meeting but said, "this is not the first time we have heard such statements."

Putin expressed willingness to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe. He named Germany's former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as his preferred partner. Schröder, a longtime friend of Putin, has drawn controversy for his roles at Russian state-owned energy firms.

The US-led ceasefire deal over the weekend included an agreement by Kyiv and Moscow to swap 1,000 prisoners each. Putin said Saturday that Russia had not yet heard from Ukraine on exchanges.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Red Square parade featured no military hardware. The Kremlin usually displays such equipment to project Russian military power internationally.