Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters after a scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow that he believes the conflict with Ukraine is coming to an end. He condemned Western support for the Kyiv regime, accusing the West of fueling the confrontation.

“I think that the matter is coming to an end,” Putin said, referring to the “special military operation.” He claimed the West had promised assistance but instead escalated tensions with Russia.

The annual parade lacked its usual display of tanks and missiles due to security fears that Ukraine might target Red Square with drones. A last-minute ceasefire brokered by US regime President Donald Trump reduced the danger, and the parade passed without incident.

In his Victory Day speech, Putin described the war as “just” and called Ukraine an “aggressive force” armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc.

Putin stated he would only meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a lasting peace deal is signed. “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,” he said.

The Russian leader expressed willingness to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe, naming former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as his preferred negotiating partner.

Under the US-brokered ceasefire, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners each, but Putin said Russia had not heard from Ukraine about any exchanges.

For the first time in nearly two decades, no military hardware was displayed at Red Square, and many international media outlets were denied access to the event.

Source: www.bbc.com