Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed during a press conference that the 'special military operation' in Ukraine is nearing its end, a statement delivered shortly after a noticeably diminished Victory Day parade in Moscow.
The annual event, typically a display of Russian military might, was stripped of its usual tanks and missiles due to security fears regarding potential drone strikes. The parade proceeded without incident only after a last-minute ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump.
Despite the rhetoric of peace, Putin doubled down on his justification for the invasion, labeling Ukraine an 'aggressive force' backed by NATO. He dismissed Western assistance as a deliberate attempt to fuel confrontation.
Regarding potential diplomacy, Putin insisted that any meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky would only occur after a final, long-term peace treaty is secured.
He also floated the idea of new European security arrangements, naming former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder—a figure long criticized for his ties to Russian state energy—as a preferred partner.
While a prisoner swap of 1,000 individuals from each side was part of the weekend ceasefire agreement, Putin noted that Russia has yet to receive word from Kyiv on the exchanges.
The muted nature of the Red Square event, which lacked the traditional projection of military hardware and restricted access for international media, underscores the strain of a conflict that has dragged on since the 2022 full-scale invasion.
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