Putin Hints at End of Russo-Ukrainian War, Praises Trump's Efforts

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the Russo-Ukrainian war is now nearing its end. He indicated that if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to hold personal talks, he may come to Moscow. Although Putin made it clear that he has not formally proposed a meeting with Zelenskyy, he is not ruling out such a meeting. Putin also praised US President Donald Trump and his administration. He said that Trump is making sincere efforts to end the Ukraine crisis and find a compromise. According to Putin, Russia immediately accepted Trump's offer to extend the ceasefire and exchange prisoners of war. The Russian president alleged that Kiev had said before Victory Day that it was not ready for a prisoner swap. He said that Russia did not want to spoil relations with any country, but the alleged provocations by Moscow during Victory Day led President Emmanuel Macron to claim in 2022 that Russia's response to the events in Ukraine could lead to a Russian military withdrawal.