Russian President Vladimir Putin said on May 8, 2024, that the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its end [1].
The comments come as Russia marks the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany [3], a celebration that serves as a central pillar of the current administration's domestic rule.
Speaking from Red Square in Moscow during the Victory Day military parade, Putin accused Western "globalist elites" of attempting to destabilize the country [2]. He said the West is arming Ukraine specifically to defeat and break up Russia [1].
"We see the West’s globalist elites trying to destabilise Russia," Putin said [2].
Regarding the duration of the war, Putin indicated a shift in the timeline. "I think the matter is coming to an end," he said [2].
Observers noted a shift in the parade's composition. Some reports indicated the event did not include heavy weapons for the first time in approximately 20 years [1], though other accounts noted the presence of combat drones [4].
Putin reiterated that the supply of weapons to Ukraine is a primary tool used by Western powers to dismantle the Russian state [1]. He framed the current geopolitical struggle as a continuation of the historical fight against external forces attempting to fragment the nation [1].
“"I think the matter is coming to an end."”
By linking the current conflict in Ukraine to the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, Putin is attempting to frame the war as a defensive struggle for national survival. The claim that the conflict is nearing its end may be intended to signal confidence to a domestic audience or to pressure Western allies to reconsider their military support for Ukraine.
