Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Saturday that the war in Ukraine is approaching its conclusion, even as a US-brokered three-day ceasefire faced immediate accusations of violations from both sides. Speaking after a notably subdued Victory Day parade in Moscow, Putin blamed Western nations for prolonging the conflict and reiterated his narrative of a just cause.
Putin's Victory Day Message
In his address to troops, Putin invoked the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, a central theme of his 25-year rule, to justify the invasion. He described Ukrainian forces as an "aggressive force" backed by the entire NATO alliance. "The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today," he said, adding, "I firmly believe that our cause is just."
This year's parade was drastically scaled back, with no military hardware displayed for the first time in nearly two decades and a sparse guest list of foreign dignitaries, primarily leaders from Russia's close allies such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Notably absent was Chinese President Xi Jinping, who attended last year. The reduced pomp underscored Russia's growing isolation as the war grinds into its fifth year.
When asked about Western military aid to Ukraine, Putin claimed, "They started ratcheting up the confrontation with Russia, which continues to this day. They spent months waiting for Russia to suffer a crushing defeat, for its statehood to collapse. It didn't work out." He added that the conflict is "heading to an end but it's still a serious matter."
Ceasefire Under Strain
The ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump on Friday, was intended to last three days and include a prisoner exchange of 1,000 captives per side. However, both Moscow and Kyiv quickly accused each other of violations, though no major strikes were reported. The Kremlin stated there were no plans to extend the truce, and Putin claimed Russia had not received any proposals from Ukraine regarding the prisoner swap.
Trump expressed optimism on his Truth Social network, posting, "Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War." Yet the fragile nature of the agreement was evident, with continued drone activity and civilian casualties on both sides. For more on the ceasefire's origins, see our coverage of Trump's announcement.
Putin also reiterated his willingness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a third country, but only after all conditions for a peace agreement are settled. "This should be the final point, not the negotiations themselves," he said.
Public Fatigue and Isolation
The Victory Day celebrations were met with a cool reception in Moscow, where internet outages and war fatigue dampened spirits. One 36-year-old economist named Elena told reporters, "Nothing," when asked how she felt about the holiday. "I need the internet, and I don't have it," she added, reflecting the disruptions caused by heightened security measures against Ukrainian drone attacks.
The war, now in its fifth year, has killed hundreds of thousands and become Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. The scaled-down parade and limited international attendance highlight Russia's diplomatic isolation, as detailed in our analysis of Putin's Victory Day parade. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face relentless attacks, with recent strikes killing 18 people, as reported in our coverage of the casualties.
As the ceasefire teeters, the path to peace remains uncertain, with both sides entrenched in their positions and the international community watching closely.
