Putin States Ukraine 'Special Military Operation' Concluding, Condemns Western Support

President Vladimir Putin of Russia declared that the conflict in Ukraine, termed a 'special military operation', is 'coming to an end'. This statement was made to reporters after a scaled-back military parade in Moscow, commemorating the Soviet victory in World War Two.

The annual parade notably lacked its usual display of tanks and missiles. This omission was attributed to security considerations, as authorities reportedly feared potential drone attacks on Red Square from Ukraine. A last-minute ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump between Moscow and Kyiv, was credited with reducing the risk of such an attack, allowing the parade to conclude without incident.

Justifying the Conflict

Putin’s remarks came mere hours after he utilised his Victory Day Parade speech to justify the ongoing war. During this address, he characterised Russia's actions as a 'just' war, simultaneously labelling Ukraine as an 'aggressive force' that was being 'armed and supported by the whole bloc of Nato'.

Later, when questioned about Western assistance to Ukraine, Putin reiterated: 'They [the West] promised assistance and then began fuelling 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.'

Regarding a potential meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin stipulated that such an encounter would only occur once a 'lasting peace deal' had been agreed upon. He stated: '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 [the treaty], but it must be a final step.'

Putin also mentioned hearing that Zelensky was prepared for a personal meeting but added, 'this is not the first time we have heard such statements.'

European Security and Prisoner Exchange

The Russian President expressed willingness to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe, identifying Germany's former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, a long-standing associate, as his preferred negotiating partner. Schröder's association with Russian state-owned energy firms has been a source of controversy.

As part of the US-led ceasefire agreement reached over the weekend, Kyiv and Moscow reportedly agreed to a prisoner swap involving 1,000 individuals from each side. However, Putin stated on Saturday that Russia had not yet received confirmation from Ukraine regarding these exchanges.

For the first time in nearly two decades, no military hardware was present at the Red Square parade, which the Kremlin typically uses to project Russian military strength globally. Furthermore, significantly fewer journalists were present at the event, with numerous international media organisations reportedly denied access.