The Kremlin reiterated on Tuesday remarks previously made by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the war in Ukraine is nearly over, while U.S. President Donald Trump said the conflict’s end is “very close,” in contrast to statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said Moscow has no intention of ending the war.
Putin told reporters on Saturday, “I think it is nearing its conclusion,” referring to the war.
Asked about Putin’s remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that trilateral efforts involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia had been undertaken in an attempt to reach a peace agreement.
He told reporters, “This cumulative groundwork in the peace process allows us to say that its completion is imminent,” while noting that it is difficult to provide specific details at this stage.
Speaking to reporters before departing for China on Tuesday, Trump said a resolution between Russia and Ukraine was approaching, though he did not provide further details.
“I truly believe that the end of the war in Ukraine is very close,” Trump said as he left the White House.
These comments contradicted remarks made by Zelenskyy on Monday, when he said, “Russia does not intend to end this war. Unfortunately, we are preparing for new attacks.”
Trump has called for rounds of talks with both sides in an effort to end the conflict, but no peace agreement has yet been reached. Russia, which currently controls around one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, is seeking further territorial concessions from Kyiv, while Ukraine is demanding a full withdrawal of Russian forces.
Peskov said Russia welcomes further U.S. mediation efforts and that Putin is prepared to meet Zelenskyy in person once the peace process is completed.
“To finalize this and bring it to an end, a significant amount of preparatory work still needs to be done,” he said, suggesting that the conflict could end once Kyiv and Zelenskyy make what he described as “the necessary decision.”
The two sides agreed to a brief ceasefire from 9 May to 11 May, brokered by Washington, coinciding with the anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Neither side reported large-scale airstrikes during the ceasefire period, but both said fighting continued along the front line, with mutual accusations of drone attacks and artillery shelling.
Reuters
