In a series of statements, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine may be nearing its conclusion. Amid scaled-down Victory Day celebrations, he expressed an openness to possible peace talks, albeit with conditions. Despite acknowledging the end may be close, the Kremlin maintained that reaching actual peace is still a lengthy process, with ongoing discussions about troop withdrawals from contested regions like Donbas. Additionally, Putin has floated the idea of meeting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to finalize a potential peace deal, although he insists such meetings could only occur in Moscow. This comes as a Trump-brokered ceasefire is set to begin, raising hopes for a resolution despite ongoing ceasefire violations.