Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin claims war ‘coming to an end’ as debate grows over Schröder as possible peace mediator

Russian president Vladimir Putin said he believed the war is “coming to an end” as Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a fragile US-backed ceasefire through drone strikes and clashes along the front lines.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian attacks continued in eastern regions despite the three-day truce, deepening Kyiv’s doubts about Moscow’s intentions.

Meanwhile, during Russia’s scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow, North Korean troops marched alongside Russian forces for the first time. The parade was a far cry from past years, where it has been used to show off Russia’s vast military, including its nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles.

“I think that the matter is coming to an end,” Putin told reporters about the war, which he started more than four years ago.

He also said he would be willing to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe, and that his preferred negotiating partner would be Germany’s former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

However, many European leaders rejected the idea because of Schroeder’s close ties to the Kremlin.Latvian defence minister resigns after Ukrainian drones hit oil tanks

Latvian defence minister Andris Spruds resigned after two Ukrainian drones crossed into Latvia from Russia and struck oil storage tanks in the eastern city of Rezekne.

Latvian prime minister Evika Silina demanded his resignation, saying the country’s anti-drone systems were not activated quickly enough.

The incident prompted Latvia and neighbouring Lithuania to urge Nato to strengthen air defences in the Baltic region.

Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the drones were Ukrainian but claimed they had been deliberately diverted off course by Russian electronic warfare while targeting sites inside Russia.

Ukraine also said it was considering sending experts to help improve Baltic air security after the incident.

Maroosha Muzaffar11 May 2026 04:55Germany sceptical on Putin's suggestion of Schroeder role in Ukraine peace talks

Germany rejected Russian president Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder could help mediate peace talks between Russia and the European Union over Ukraine.

Putin had named Schröder as his preferred intermediary after European Council president Antonio Costa said there was “potential” for talks with Moscow about Europe’s future security structure.

But German officials dismissed the idea as not credible, saying Russia had not changed any of its demands on Ukraine or shown serious interest in negotiations.

Schröder remains controversial in Germany because of his close ties to Putin and his work with Russian energy companies after leaving office. Berlin also stressed that any talks involving the EU must be closely coordinated with Ukraine and European member states.

Maroosha Muzaffar11 May 2026 04:44Kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of violating ceasefire

Ukraine and Russia accused each other of repeatedly violating a US-backed temporary ceasefire almost immediately after it came into effect.

Kyiv reported continued drone strikes, battlefield clashes, and civilian deaths, while Moscow claimed Ukrainian drones and shelling targeted Russian territory and positions.

Despite the truce reducing some large-scale attacks, both sides said fighting never truly stopped.

Maroosha Muzaffar11 May 2026 04:28Putin says Ukraine war 'coming to an end'

Russian president Vladimir Putin said he believes the Ukraine war is “coming to an end,” remarks made shortly after Russia held a noticeably scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow.

Putin also hinted at possible future negotiations on European security and floated former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a potential intermediary, though many European leaders rejected the idea.

Maroosha Muzaffar11 May 2026 04:13