Russia has been attacking Ukraine in a full-scale war for over four years. Despite various attempts to end the conflict, people are still dying and there is a lack of good will on the part of the aggressor. However, there will be a ceasefire for the time being, and perhaps something more in the near future.
“I think this thing is coming to an end” – Vladimir Putin told journalists on Saturday in reference to the war in Ukraine. These words are quoted by CNBC.
He points out that the Russian president spoke at the Kremlin after Russia organized the smallest Victory Day parade in years. The national holiday on May 9 commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II and pays tribute to the 27 million Soviet citizens who died during the war.
However, CNBC emphasizes that victory in Ukraine remains unattainable for Russia. He calculates that during the four years of the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II, Russian forces have not yet managed to take control of the entire Donbass region in eastern Ukraine, where Kiev forces have been pushed to the line of fortified cities.
See also: Ukraine reports Russia's losses. It's hundreds of millions of dollars
“The war has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, left large areas of Ukraine in ruins and depleted Russia's $3 trillion economy, and Russia's relations with Europe are worse than at any time since the Cold War,” we read.
On Thursday, the Financial Times reported that European Union leaders were preparing for possible talks. Vladimir Putin, asked whether he was ready to start talks with Europeans, replied that his preferred figure was former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder.
“Personally, I prefer the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Schroder“- said Putin.
Last week, the Kremlin said that European governments should take the first step because they cut off contacts with Moscow in 2022 after the war in Ukraine started.
Three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine
A three-day ceasefire is currently underway, which will be a test of whether Russia is able to fulfill at least this declaration.
“The ceasefire will include a cessation of all hostilities and an exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each country,” US President Donald Trump announced on Friday.
See also: Russia is losing control. Ukraine is adding fuel to the fire without Western help
He emphasized that this request was submitted directly by him and that he greatly appreciated the consent of President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I hope that this is the beginning of the end of a very long, bloody and fierce war. Talks are ongoing to end this serious conflict, the largest since World War II, and every day we are getting closer to a solution,” wrote the US president in a post on his social networking site Truth Social.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating the truce. According to the command of the Ukrainian armed forces, Russian drones killed two people and injured another three. “Since the beginning of the day, the number of attacks by the aggressor has reached 51,” the Ukrainian General Staff reported.
In turn, the Russian Ministry of Defense said, without providing any specifics, that the Ukrainian side “launched artillery and drone attacks” against Russian army positions.
