Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday praised the United States’ diplomatic engagement in trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war, saying the current American administration was “sincerely” seeking a settlement. Speaking to reporters after Moscow’s Victory Day parade, Putin said international efforts to promote peace were welcome, while stressing that the dispute primarily involves Russia and Ukraine.
Putin singled out the role of the U.S. administration and President Donald Trump, saying he believed they genuinely wanted to resolve the conflict. He added that Washington has other priorities but that Moscow appreciated any constructive diplomatic input.
He renewed long-standing Russian complaints that some Western elites used Ukraine to pursue geopolitical aims, arguing that promises of EU integration and NATO enlargement helped trigger the confrontation. Putin accused Western governments of misleading Russia about their intentions and of enabling Kyiv to prolong the fighting by supplying political and military backing.
Referring to talks in Istanbul in 2022, Putin said Kyiv initially accepted an agreement there but later declined to sign it under pressure from Western countries. He also alleged that a visit by a senior British official persuaded Ukrainian leaders not to ratify the deal.
Despite the war entering its fifth year, Putin struck a cautiously optimistic tone, saying he believed the conflict was “coming to an end.” He argued that Western hopes of quickly defeating Russia and overturning its statehood had failed, leaving Kyiv unable to achieve its early goals. He suggested that changing political dynamics in Europe could open the way to a settlement.
Putin’s comments came amid continuing international calls for negotiated solutions and rising tensions across the continent. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine timed to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations; Trump said both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had agreed to the temporary truce.
The full-scale war began with Moscow’s 2022 invasion and reached its fifth anniversary in February 2026. Putin’s remarks reflect Moscow’s public position that Western backing of Kyiv has prolonged the conflict, while also acknowledging and welcoming outside efforts that aim to bring the fighting to an end.
