Putin says Ukraine conflict is 'coming to an end'
Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters after the Victory Day parade in Moscow that the Ukraine war is winding down. The remarks come as the Trump administration pushes to extend a US-mediated three-day ceasefire that took effect this week.
Vladimir Putin made the comments to reporters following Russia's scaled-back 80th Victory Day parade on Red Square. 'I think that the matter is coming to an end,' he said, in remarks that follow weeks of incremental Russian gains in the Donbas and growing economic strain on Ukraine.
A three-day ceasefire negotiated by Donald Trump's envoys took effect this week, and the White House is now pushing for an extension despite mutual accusations of violations from Kyiv and Moscow. Trump said earlier today that talks were 'making good progress' and indicated a longer pause was possible.
Markets responded cautiously. Brent crude held near recent highs amid the Hormuz crisis, while Dutch TTF gas futures slipped to about 31 euros after Putin spoke. European diplomats say the next two weeks will reveal whether Moscow is willing to put concrete territorial concessions on the table.
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