Putin says he thinks Ukraine war is 'coming to an end'

"“I think that the matter is coming to an end.” The comment was made in response to a question about whether Western help to Ukraine went too far. The Russian leader said: “They started ratcheting up the confrontation with Russia, which continues to this day. I think it is heading to an end, but it's still a serious matter.”"

"Ceasefire is another hopeful sign Putin's remarks come as Kyiv and Moscow observe a three-day ceasefire in Russia's war in Ukraine this weekend. The truce was announced on Friday by US President Donald Trump after negotiations brokered by Washington. European Council President Antonio Costa on Thursday said the European Union was prepared to hold separate talks with Russia and Ukraine when the right moment comes."

"During his news conference, Putin was asked to name his preferred EU negotiator for those talks. He named former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. Schroder is one of Putin's closest Western allies and a longtime personal friend. But he has faced heavy criticism at home for those ties, which included lucrative board positions at Russian state-linked energy firms."

"As part of this weekend's US-led peace deal, both sides agreed to a large prisoner swap, but Putin said Moscow had not heard from Ukraine on the matter. “We are counting on the Ukrainian side to respond to the proposal mad"

Putin said the Ukraine war is coming to an end and described Western actions as having ratcheted up confrontation with Russia. He said the confrontation is heading to an end but remains serious. A three-day ceasefire is being observed by Kyiv and Moscow, announced by US President Donald Trump after negotiations brokered by Washington. The European Union is prepared to hold separate talks with Russia and Ukraine when the right moment comes, and Putin named former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder as a preferred EU negotiator. Putin accused the EU of seeking escalation and warned Brussels that the situation could prove costly. He also said Moscow had not heard from Ukraine regarding a large prisoner swap included in the US-led peace deal.

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