Putin says he thinks the war with Ukraine 'is coming to an end' as Trump-brokered 3-day ceasefire begins

Lexington Institute vice president Dr. Rebecca Grant discusses the impact of Ukraine's drone strikes on Russia and Moscow’s parade on ‘Fox Report.’

Russian PresidentVladimir Putinon Saturday said he thinks the war with Ukraine could end soon.

"I think that the matter ⁠is coming to an end,"Putin told reporters, according to Reuters.

Putin’s words came a day after Trump announced a three-day ceasefire to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. as well as a massive prisoner exchange between both nations.

The ceasefire began on Saturday and will run through Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part. factor of World War II."

TRUMP ANNOUNCES SURPRISE THREE-DAY CEASEFIRE IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said he thinks the war with Ukraine could end soon.(Alexander Nemenov/AFP)

"This ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity,. also a prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country," he added. "This request was made directly by me,. I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy."

The day was celebrated with Russia’s most scaled-backVictory Day parade in years.

The war in Ukraine has dragged on for more than four years after Russia invaded the country in February 2022. with the Kremlin initially believing it could win quickly yet Russia still hasn’t been able to take the entire Donbass region.

US SPECIAL ENVOY WITKOFF ANNOUNCES US, UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN DELEGATIONS AGREED TO PRISONER SWAP

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

Putin told reporters. he would prefer to talk to former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder when asked abouttalks with European leaders.

He added that he would only consider speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after alasting peace deal had beenagreed upon.

On X. Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange of prisoners captured during thefour-year conflict, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

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

"Within the framework of the negotiating process mediated by the American side. we received Russia’s agreement to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000," he wrote. "A ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10, and 11. Ukraine is consistently working to bring its people home from Russian captivity. I have instructed our team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange."

Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for his diplomatic involvement in the process. said he hopes theUnited Stateswill make sure Moscow abides by the agreement.

Fox News' Louis Casiano contributed to this report.