Vladimir Putin has said he will only meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky once a lasting peace deal is agreed as he claimed the conflict is “coming to an end”. Speaking after the annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War, on Saturday (9 May), Putin was asked if Slovak prime minister Robert Fico had brought him a message from Zelensky. The Russian leader responded: “Mr Fico told me about his meeting [with Zelensky] but there was no particular message. I simply heard once again that the Ukrainian side, Mr Zelensky, is ready to hold a personal meeting. Yes, I heard that. But this is not the first time we have heard such statements.” Later, speaking of the war he began over four years ago, Putin said how he thinks the “matter is coming to an end”.

Yury Ushakov described the messages conveyed from Kiev by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico as outdated and already heard before

"I think that the matter is coming to an end," Putin told reporters of the Ukraine war.

The Russian leader added that a meeting with Ukraine’s Zelensky was possible only once a lasting peace deal was reached.

The Russian leader also said he is ready to meet with Vladimir Zelensky in any country, but only for the purpose of signing a final settlement agreement

The remarks came just hours after he had vowed victory in Ukraine at Moscow's most scaled-back Victory Day parade in years.

The Russian leader sees potential for Ukraine negotiations, but condemns the West's backing for President Zelensky.

Russian president damns western support that has allowed Ukraine to hold out and asks for talks with Gerhard Schröder in remarks after diminished Victory Day parade

Putin also said he would be willing to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe

Vladimir Putin has said he will only meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky once a lasting peace deal is agreed as he claimed the conflict is “coming to an end”. Speaking after…

Putin also said he would be willing to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe

According to Dmitry Peskov, Russia remains open to dialogue and fully welcomes US mediation efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine