Putin Says Ukraine War Is Nearing an End

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on May 9, 2026, that he believes the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its conclusion.

The remarks were made during Victory Day commemorations. According to reporting from CNBC and The Times of Israel, Putin indicated that he thinks the war is coming to an end. The Moscow Times characterized the president’s assessment as the conflict winding down.

Alongside his comments on the duration of the conflict, Putin criticized Western nations for their continued support of Kyiv.

These statements from the Russian president contrast with an assessment provided by the Kremlin. Reuters reported that the Kremlin described the prospect of peace in Ukraine as still a very long way off.

Further complicating the narrative of a concluding conflict, Sky News reported that Putin’s claims about the war likely ending soon come despite reported battlefield gains by Ukrainian forces.