KI short logo

Russia news

Is Vladimir Putin getting tired of Russia's war in Ukraine?
Russia

Is Vladimir Putin getting tired of Russia's war in Ukraine?

by Tim Zadorozhnyy

After presiding over the smallest Victory Day parade of his rule, Russian President Vladimir Putin shifted tone on his country's war against Ukraine. "I think (the war in Ukraine) is coming to an end," Putin told journalists on May 9 — a statement that drew attention because it was the first of its kind in four years. Putin also avoided many of the triumphalist talking points that have defined his public appearances. And for perhaps the first time in years, he publicly referred to President Vo

More from Russia

NewsLetters

News Feed

Armenia’s westward tilt tests Russia's grip in the South Caucasus

Once one of Moscow's closest allies in the South Caucasus, Armenia has recently handed the Kremlin a series of diplomatic humiliations. Not only did Yerevan host the first Armenia-EU summit on May 4-5, but one of the guests was President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking his first official trip to the country. The state visit by the Ukrainian leader, whose country has been resisting Russia's full-scale invasion for over four years, sparked fury in the Kremlin. Moscow demands an explanation for plat

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Strasbourg, France, on March 11, 2026

Is Vladimir Putin getting tired of Russia's war in Ukraine?

After presiding over the smallest Victory Day parade of his rule, Russian President Vladimir Putin shifted tone on his country's war against Ukraine. "I think (the war in Ukraine) is coming to an end," Putin told journalists on May 9 — a statement that drew attention because it was the first of its kind in four years. Putin also avoided many of the triumphalist talking points that have defined his public appearances. And for perhaps the first time in years, he publicly referred to President Vo

Ukraine pushes Russia toward 'airport ceasefire,' but questions remain

Using deep strikes not only militarily but also as leverage in negotiations, Kyiv is now proposing an "airport ceasefire" with Russia. The proposal comes as Ukrainian long-range drone attacks continue to disrupt Russian air traffic. On May 8, a Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Rostov region damaged a regional air traffic control center coordinating flights across southern Russia, affecting operations at 13 airports and affecting around 200 flights. The disruption was significant enough for Russian

Passengers wait at the Boryspil International Airport near Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 25, 2018.

About Russia

The Kyiv Independent’s coverage of news on Russia. Spanning eleven time zones across Eastern Europe and Asia, Russia has an estimated population of 146 million people. Russia’s capital city is Moscow, which is home to almost one in 10 Russians. Russia’s official currency is the Russian Ruble.

Read more

Most Popular

Editors' Picks

News Feed