Vladimir Putin said the conflict in Ukraine is nearing an end after addressing a reduced Victory Day parade in Moscow. He described the war as a just cause against an aggressive force backed by NATO.
Putin stated he would only meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky once all conditions for a peace agreement were settled. He claimed Western nations had failed to achieve their goal of weakening Russia.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire began on Saturday with both sides exchanging accusations of violations. Russia has not yet received any proposals from Ukraine on a planned prisoner exchange.