Vladimir Putin Says Ukraine Conflict Is Nearing Conclusion

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on May 29 that the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its conclusion, citing current developments on the battlefield. Speaking during a press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, Putin asserted that while the situation suggests an end is approaching, providing a specific timeline remains impossible while hostilities continue.

Despite his comments on the conflict's conclusion, Putin confirmed that Russian forces are conducting offensives across the entire frontline of the special military operation zone. He defended Russian strikes on Kyiv as direct responses to Ukrainian attacks on the Luhansk region. Putin further characterized the war as a result of European Union policies and a 2014 coup in Kyiv, while accusing NATO of deceiving Russia regarding its eastward expansion.

Addressing European concerns, Putin dismissed claims that Russia is preparing for war with European countries as nonsense, though he warned that any location posing a direct military threat to Russia would be considered a legitimate target. Simultaneously, representatives from European countries held informal consultations in London to discuss the sanctions regime and the necessity of reaching an agreement with Russia to resolve the conflict.