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Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its conclusion. Speaking to reporters following a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow, Putin remarked that the "special military operation" is "coming to an end." During his address, he also criticized Western nations for their continued support of the government in Kyiv.
Russia's annual parade lacked the usual display of tanks and missiles, due to security concerns as authorities feared Ukraine might target Red Square with drones.
A last-minute ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv, brokered by US President Donald Trump, reduced the danger of any attack and the parade passed off without incident.
Putin's comments came just hours after he used his Victory Day speech to justify the war.
In that speech he said Russia was fighting a "just" war and called Ukraine an "aggressive force" that was being "armed and supported by the whole bloc of Nato".
Later, when asked at a news conference about the West helping Ukraine, Putin said: "They promised assistance and then began fueling a confrontation with Russia that continues to this day. I think that the matter is coming to an end, but it is a serious matter."
Russian forces seized Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014, then launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Putin said he would only meet Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky once a lasting peace deal was agreed to.
"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 (treaty), but it must be a final step," he continued.
Putin said he had heard that Zelensky was ready to hold a personal meeting but added "this is not the first time we have heard such statements".
Putin said he would be willing to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe, and that his preferred negotiating partner would be Germany's former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.
