Speaking in the Kremlin after Russia's scaled-back Victory Day parade, he said talks with Europe were possible and named former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder as his preferred interlocutor.
Putin said he could meet President Volodymyr Zelenskiy only after a lasting peace deal was agreed, while the Kremlin has said European governments must first restore contact.
Russia's 2022 invasion triggered the gravest East-West crisis since the Cuban Missile Crisis, killing hundreds of thousands, devastating parts of Ukraine and straining Russia's economy and ties with Europe.
As Putin signals the war is ending, why is Russia escalating its hybrid attacks across Europe?
Can a temporary ceasefire bring peace while territorial demands from both sides remain fundamentally opposed?
Five Years In: The Ukraine-Russia Conflict’s Stalemate, Humanitarian Crisis, and Geopolitical Fallout
Overview
As of May 2026, the Ukraine conflict is marked by fragile ceasefires, ongoing accusations of violations, and stalled peace talks. A recent three-day ceasefire, announced by leaders from the US, Ukraine, and Russia, was timed with Russia’s Victory Day parade and included a large prisoner exchange. Despite these diplomatic efforts, both sides quickly accuse each other of breaking agreements, showing deep mistrust. President Zelensky’s decree allowing Russian participation highlights Ukraine’s commitment to symmetry, but the cycle of broken truces and stalled negotiations underscores the entrenched and complex nature of the war.