The Ukraine War Looks Like It Might End Soon

Date: 2024-05-10
Source: Reuters

Putin announced that the fighting in Ukraine could soon finish, speaking after a modest Victory Day parade in Moscow—a day commemorating the Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany. The war began when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, igniting a crisis that echoed the Cold War’s darkest moments.

Key points from his remarks:

Conflict status: Russia has not secured all of eastern Ukraine. The war has caused extensive loss of life, destroyed cities, and inflicted trillions of dollars in damage on Russia’s economy.
European involvement: European leaders are contemplating talks to end the war. Putin expressed a preference for dialogue with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and urged Europe to initiate conversations, citing the 2022 severance of ties with Russia.
Zelenskiy meeting: When asked about a potential meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Putin said it could only occur after a peace deal is in place.
Kremlin’s stance: The Kremlin signals Russia’s desire to end the conflict, but emphasizes that other nations must take the first step.

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