The ISW explained what Putin's hint about ending the war in Ukraine actually means
During a recent press conference, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin hinted that the end of hostilities in Ukraine was approaching.
However, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that there are currently no real signs that the Kremlin is ready to end its armed aggression.
Responding to a question about Ukraine’s strikes on Russian territory using Western weapons, the dictator stated that “the matter is coming to an end.”
At the same time, he once again resorted to traditional propaganda justifications for the full-scale invasion, which has been ongoing for over four years.
Russian state media immediately picked up on these words, attempting to create the illusion of a swift peace.
However, the actual content of the speech suggests the opposite, as Putin emphasized the need to “focus on the final defeat of Ukraine.”
ISW experts are convinced that Moscow’s strategic goal remains unchanged—the complete capitulation of the Ukrainian state.
Any talk of ending the war on the part of the aggressor is merely a rhetorical ploy to appease the domestic audience.
Regarding the possibility of a diplomatic settlement, the dictator issued yet another ultimatum.
According to him, a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy “can only take place in Moscow,” which automatically rules out negotiations on neutral ground.
The Kremlin’s categorical stance demonstrates its unwillingness to engage in constructive dialogue to achieve a just peace.
Moscow continues to ignore international legal norms and insists on a scenario that excludes Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Statements about the “end of the matter” are aimed at Russians, who are increasingly feeling the consequences of the protracted war. In particular, this refers to the inability of Russian air defense to effectively counter Ukrainian long-range strikes on strategic targets in the Russian Federation.
At the May 9 parade, Putin called Ukraine “aggressive” and complained about NATO
North Korean troops were present for the first time at the May 9 parade on Red Square in Moscow, marching in a separate column.
Military parades marking May 9 took place in a number of cities in Siberia and the Russian Far East, preceding the main “Victory Day” celebrations in Moscow. In many cases, the events essentially amounted to a display of manpower without a large-scale showcase of military equipment.
