Putin says Ukraine war is likely ‘coming to an end’ amid three-day ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that he thought the war with Ukraine could end soon.

“I think this issue is over,” Putin told reporters, according to Reuters.

Putin’s words echo Trump’s criticism of the Soviet Union’s World War II. It came a day after the two countries declared a three-day ceasefire to celebrate victory in World War II and a major prisoner exchange between the two countries.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that the ceasefire began on Saturday and will last through Monday. “The celebrations in Russia are for Victory Day, but so are the celebrations in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of the Second World War.”

TRUMP ANNOUNCED A SURPRISE THREE-DAY ceasefire in the RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR

“This ceasefire will include the suspension of all kinetic activities as well as the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each country,” he added. “This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate that President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted this request.”

The day was marked with Russia’s smallest Victory Day parade in recent years.

The war in Ukraine has continued for more than four years after Russia invaded the country in February 2022; The Kremlin initially believed it could win quickly, but Russia still has not captured the entire Donbass region.

US SPECIAL EMBASSADOR WITKOFF ANNOUNCED THAT THE US, UKRAINE AND RUSSIA DELEGATIONS AGREED ON PRISONER EXCHANGE

President Donald Trump walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Putin told reporters that he would prefer to speak with German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder when asked about talks with European leaders.

He added that he would consider meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy only after a permanent peace agreement is signed.

In X, Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange of prisoners captured during the four-year conflict that began when Russia began a full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President-elect Donald Trump shake hands after their meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France, on December 7, 2024. (Presidency of Ukraine/Anatolia/Getty Images)

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“Within the framework of the negotiation process mediated by the American side, we received an agreement from Russia to exchange prisoners in the format of 1000 to 1000,” he wrote. “A ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10 and 11. Ukraine is constantly working to liberate its people from Russia’s captivity. I have instructed our team to immediately prepare everything necessary for change.”

Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for his diplomatic involvement in the process and said he hoped the United States would ensure Moscow’s compliance with the agreement.

Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.