Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested a potential conclusion to the Ukraine conflict during his Victory Day remarks in Moscow, stating, "I think that the matter is coming to an end." This comment followed a firm pledge made during the parade to defeat his counterparts, as per The Guardian.
Addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to negotiating new security arrangements for the continent. He named former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as his preferred negotiating partner, signaling interest in familiar diplomatic channels. The proposal faces strong opposition in Europe and Ukraine due to Schröder's ties with the Kremlin and involvement in Russian energy projects like Nord Stream in 2022. Critics, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have condemned the idea.
ALSO READ: NATO Nations Brace for Trump to Pull More Troops from Europe
On Saturday, President Vladimir Putin criticized Western support for Kyiv, as quoted by The Guardian, “They started ratcheting up the confrontation with Russia, which continues to this day,” he said. He added, “I think it(war) is heading to an end, but it's still a serious matter.”
Putin asserted that the West's efforts to escalate confrontation and secure a "crushing defeat" or the collapse of Russian statehood had failed. He added that Western powers have become "stuck in a groove" of hostility from which they are now struggling to escape.
President Vladimir Putin said he is ready to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country only after all conditions for a peace deal are agreed. He stressed the meeting should be final, in which he asserted that he would prefer former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder for talks with Europeans.
The first day of a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire was marked by both sides accusing each other of breaking the agreement, as Russia, Ukraine, and Donald Trump declared a three-day ceasefire starting Saturday. The Kremlin currently refuses to extend the truce, and despite a 1,000-prisoner swap agreement, President Putin claimed no formal proposals have been received from Ukraine, reported The Guardian.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.