Putin says Ukraine war ending, Victory Day parade cut
SkimNews Take
Putin's declaration of an approaching end to the conflict, amidst ongoing hostilities and diplomatic efforts, highlights a strategic divergence between public rhetoric and the immediate realities of the battlefield.
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- Putin said the Ukraine conflict is “coming to an end” while condemning Western support for Kyiv.
- Victory Day parade in Moscow was scaled back, omitting tanks and missiles after fears of attacks on Red Square.
- Russia accused Ukraine of >6,000 drone strikes and hundreds of artillery attacks, even as a US‑brokered ceasefire enabled a 1,000‑prisoner exchange.
- Schröder was named by Putin as his preferred partner for future European security talks.
- Costa said the EU sees “potential” for negotiations with Russia, echoing Kyiv’s openness to talks.
Why it matters: Putin’s claim of an ending war gives the EU a diplomatic opening to push for talks, while the ongoing drone strikes that have killed dozens of civilians keep the conflict’s human cost high and undermine any peace narrative.
