Putin told reporters during Russia's Victory Day parade on May 9 that he believed the Ukraine war 'was coming to an end.' The statement came as a three-day US-mediated ceasefire had just taken effect, though Ukraine's president already reported Russia was not complying with the truce. The phrasing of Putin's remarks is notable because he stopped short of claiming victory — which differs from his typical framing — but the credibility of his timeline claim is contested given active ceasefire violations reported within hours.