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Putin Says Ukraine War ‘Coming to an End’ as US-Brokered Ceasefire Takes Hold

The US-brokered pause tests whether a prisoner swap can open a narrow path to talks under Kremlin preconditions.

Overview

  • - A three-day ceasefire announced Friday by President Trump includes a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange and runs May 9–11.
  • - Speaking Saturday, Putin said he would meet President Zelenskyy only to sign a pre-agreed final peace treaty, with a third-country venue possible.
  • - Both sides reported minor violations during the pause, and Putin said Moscow has not yet received Ukraine’s formal lists for the planned prisoner swap.
  • - Following a pared-back Victory Day parade with no heavy hardware for the first time in nearly two decades, Putin framed the war as a “just” fight against a NATO-backed foe and named Gerhard Schröder as his preferred European interlocutor.
  • - No extension of the truce is confirmed, so the exchange window is tight, and a successful swap could return thousands to their families and set a limited foundation for further talks.