Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism Tuesday that the ongoing Ukraine conflict is nearing its conclusion, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly disagreed with this assessment.
Putin told reporters over the weekend that “I think that the matter is coming to an end.”
When asked about Putin’s comments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Tuesday that significant three-way diplomatic efforts involving Ukraine and the United States have been underway to bring the conflict to a close, now entering its fifth year.
“This accumulated groundwork in terms of the peace process allows us to say that the completion is indeed approaching,” Peskov stated to reporters, while noting he could not provide specific details at this time.
Before beginning a state visit to China on Tuesday, Trump echoed similar sentiments about an approaching resolution between the two nations, though he also declined to provide specifics.
“The end of the war in Ukraine I really think it’s getting very close,” Trump commented as he departed the White House.
Zelenskyy, however, expressed a markedly different view. Speaking on Monday, he stated: “Russia has no intention of ending this war. And we are, unfortunately, preparing for new attacks.”
Trump has organized several rounds of negotiations with both sides in an attempt to resolve the conflict, though no peace agreement has materialized. Russia, which currently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, is demanding that Kyiv surrender additional land. Ukraine insists that Russian forces must completely withdraw.
Peskov indicated Russia would support continued U.S. mediation and that Putin is willing to meet with Zelenskyy face-to-face once peace negotiations are completed.
“And for that finalisation, in order to put a full stop to it, a great deal of preparatory work still needs to be done,” he explained, suggesting the conflict could conclude as soon as Kyiv and Zelenskyy “take the necessary decision.”
The opposing forces recently agreed to a brief U.S.-brokered ceasefire from May 9-11, timed to coincide with the anniversary commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
While neither side reported major air strikes during the temporary truce, both continued to report ongoing combat along the front lines and made mutual accusations of drone and artillery strikes.
