Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the ceremony commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, said that, in his view, the war in Ukraine is approaching its end.
Putin also added that he is ready to discuss the future security structure of Europe and would prefer Gerhard Schröder, the former German Chancellor who has close ties with him, to be his negotiating partner on this matter.
On Saturday, 19th of Thor (April/May), Putin blamed Western leaders for the factors that led to the war with Ukraine, stating that they broke their promises following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
His remarks came just hours after the May 9th ceremony, Russia’s national day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The annual event honors the 27 million Soviet soldiers and citizens who lost their lives in that war.
This year’s military parade, unlike previous years, lacked the usual display of tanks and missiles, as Russian officials were concerned that Ukraine might target Moscow’s Red Square. Russian forces have been fighting in Ukraine for over four years, longer than the Soviet forces were engaged in World War II, known in Russia as the “Great Patriotic War.”
Putin, who has held power as either president or prime minister since the end of 1999, is now facing a wave of concerns in Moscow regarding the war in Ukraine a conflict that has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, devastated large parts of Ukraine, and put pressure on Russia’s $3 trillion economy. Furthermore, Russia’s relations with Europe have reached their worst level since the Cold War.
The Kremlin announced that peace negotiations mediated by former U.S. President Donald Trump are currently on hold. Putin has repeatedly stressed that Russia will continue the war until all its objectives in what Moscow calls a “special military operation” are achieved.
So far, Russian forces have been unable to fully capture the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, and their advance this year has slowed. Currently, about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory is under Russian control. Russia intends to use this area as a buffer zone.
Last week, European Council President António Costa said he believes the European Union has the “capacity” to negotiate with Russia and discuss the future security structure of Europe. In response to a question about whether he is willing to engage in talks with Europeans, Putin said that his preferred choice for negotiations is Gerhard Schröder.
He said: “For me personally, Mr. Schröder, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, is the preferred option.”
Putin and Schröder share a very close personal friendship that dates back to Schröder’s time in office. Putin has always trusted Schröder as someone who keeps his commitments and understands Russia’s perspectives.
Schröder has consistently supported the idea of a “European security architecture including Russia.” By selecting him as his negotiating partner, Putin is sending a message to current Western leaders that he will only negotiate with those who recognize Russia’s geopolitical weight and oppose NATO’s unlimited expansion.
Regarding a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin said that he would only meet him once a realistic prospect for a sustainable peace agreement is possible.
Writer:Salima Hakimi
