Putin hints at 'end' of war amid scaled-back parade

In a weekend defined by high-stakes diplomacy and a glaring lack of military hardware, Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled that the four-year-long war in Ukraine may finally be nearing its conclusion. Speaking to reporters following a notably subdued Victory Day celebration in Red Square on Saturday, May 9, Putin stated, "I think the matter is coming to an end." While the President offered no specific timeline or roadmap, his remarks followed a weekend of historic—if fragile—developments brokered by the United States.