Wednesday, May 20Wednesday, May 20Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he believes the war in Ukraine is nearing its end, a claim he made during a press conference following a scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow. Putin suggested that he would be open to negotiating new security arrangements for Europe, proposing former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a potential mediator for future talks with European governments. However, this proposal was widely rejected by European Union officials, who dismissed Schröder as a Kremlin-aligned figure unfit to represent Europe in negotiations. EU foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, criticized the idea, with some labeling Schröder a "Kremlin lobbyist" due to his past ties to Russian energy companies and his public support for Putin .
In response to Putin’s remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky contradicted the assertion that the war is ending, stating that combat continues on the frontlines and that Putin has shown no genuine intention of halting hostilities. Zelensky has instead sought a localized ceasefire, specifically requesting European mediation to secure a truce around Ukrainian airports, citing concerns over potential Russian strikes on these critical infrastructure sites. Ukraine’s foreign minister indicated that Moscow might consider such a deal, though skepticism remains about Russia’s willingness to engage in good faith .
The EU remains divided on how to approach potential negotiations with Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the bloc has not yet agreed on a unified position regarding talks with Moscow, emphasizing that Russia is not acting in good faith and that the EU is not prepared to enter negotiations at this stage. The debate within Europe reflects broader concerns about diplomatic strategy and coordination among member states, with some leaders positioning themselves as potential representatives for future discussions . Analysts suggest Putin’s recent comments about the war ending may be driven by Russia’s deteriorating military position, including mounting casualties and increased Ukrainian drone strikes, as well as geopolitical shifts such as U.S. domestic distractions . NATO’s role in these developments has not been explicitly detailed in the available sources.
> Background: **Putin hints at Ukraine wars end amid EU divisions and sanctions** — *10 hours ago*
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independent · 9 days ago
#EU #Russia Vladimir Putin stated that he believes the war in Ukraine is coming to an end. This remark was made during a press conference following a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow. Subscribe to @OSINTdefender Chat room
telegram bot · 9 days ago
Ukraine: the EU is considering its representative for the (distant) negotiations with Moscow. Kallas puts herself forward Russia has put forward the name of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder for the peace talks, but foreign ministers are holding back. Tajani: It cannot be up to Moscow to choose. The EU High Representative: He is a Kremlin lobbyist
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gdeltproject.org · 9 days ago
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theguardian · 9 days ago
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