Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the war in Ukraine may be “coming to an end,” days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary three-day ceasefire and urged both Moscow and Kyiv to move toward a broader peace agreement.

Speaking after Russia’s Victory Day events in Moscow, Putin said he believed “the matter is coming to an end,” while indicating that direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could be possible if both sides agree on a long-term settlement framework.

Putin’s remarks came after Trump earlier announced what he described as a “three-day ceasefire” between May 9 and May 11, brokered through U.S.-led diplomatic efforts. Trump said he hoped the temporary truce would become “the beginning of something much bigger” and lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities.

He also confirmed a major prisoner exchange involving 1,000 detainees from each side, calling it “an important first step toward peace.”

Trump had earlier described the war as “madness” and said Washington was prepared to send senior officials to Moscow to help facilitate negotiations if the ceasefire holds.

5 Years of Pain for Europe, Other Nations

The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fifth year since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, killing or wounding hundreds of thousands and displacing millions.

Russia currently controls nearly 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory, though its military has failed to fully seize the eastern Donbas region despite sustained offensives.

This year’s Victory Day parade reflected the strain of the prolonged conflict. For the first time in nearly two decades, no tanks rolled through Red Square. Instead, large digital displays showcased missile systems and drones as heavily guarded troops marched before the Kremlin.

Zelenskyy responded cautiously to Putin’s comments, saying Ukraine would judge Russia by “actions, not statements.”

Although both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of minor ceasefire violations, no major escalation has been reported during the temporary truce.

Diplomatic observers say Putin’s statement appears to align with Trump’s recent push for direct negotiations, though Western governments remain cautious and insist that any peace agreement must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.