Vladimir Putin has given a major update on the war with Ukraine(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Vladimir Putin claims the war with Ukraine “is coming to an end” as he confronts the harsh reality of relentless missile and drone strikes launched by Ukraine.
The Russian dictator also referred to Volodymyr Zelensky by name — a rare occurrence — and acknowledged the possibility of a face-to-face meeting to finalise a peace agreement.
Russia’s president has quietly shifted his stance on bringing the conflict to a close, amid a torrent of hostility directed at the West and Ukraine. His latest comments come during a three-day ceasefire brokered by Donald Trump, which Putin only agreed to after Ukraine’s newly developed domestically-produced missiles and drones succeeded in causing devastating damage to critical Russian targets.
The unexpected change in tone from Putin also comes amid speculation the is confronting near-mutiny within his own security apparatus, with unconfirmed rumours of a coup plot and growing paranoia surrounding his personal safety.
“I think the matter is coming to an end,” he said, in reference to the war he started more than four years ago.
Putin made a bombshell statement on the Ukraine war(Image: Getty)
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He framed the prospect of ending the conflict as a consequence of the West’s inability to inflict a “crushing defeat” on Russia, making no mention of his own military embarrassment in failing to seize Ukraine, which has recently struck his vital infrastructure with considerable force.
For the first time in nearly eighteen months, he spoke the Kyiv leader’s name, stating: “I simply heard again that the Ukrainian side, Mr Zelensky, is ready to hold a personal meeting.” Notably, he stopped short of labelling him an “illegitimate” president.
Putin once again trotted out his well-worn stance that he would meet Zelensky in Moscow — but this time suggested they could also convene in a “third country” to seal a peace agreement.
He said: “I’m not proposing this meeting, but if someone does, please let whoever wants to meet come, let them come to Moscow, and we’ll meet.
“We could meet in a third country, but only after final agreements have been reached on a peace treaty, which should have a long-term historical perspective.”