Analysis | Putin let his desperation show with unexpected claim his war with Ukraine is ending
Our world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
Pausing, turning and pointing, like hounds catching a new scent, Europe’s leaders are picking up a blood trail from the Kremlin. Vladimir Putin's forces were once the hunters – now they are bleeding and Ukraine has the whiff victory in its nose.
In the latest sign that Ukraine's systematic new policy of trying to kill at least 50,000 Russians a month is working, Putin has told his people that the end of the war he started is near.
And, in an act that was both desperate and doomed, he suggested that Gerhard Schröder, the former German chancellor could act as Europe's envoy in talks.
There is every sign that this was a desperate act from the Russian leader. He has enjoyed the backing of the Trump administration, which has adopted Russia's side in previous talks and cut all military aid to Kyiv, for over a year. But his forces have stalled and have lost ground in his campaign to take Ukraine.
On the front lines, there has been a steady growth in Ukrainian resolve during the winter. It has moved into outright confidence among many soldiers who have enjoyed a turn in their fortunes due to their dominance in drone warfare and successful long-range attacks deep into Russia.
Alex Croft12 May 2026 16:00
In pictures: Putin discusses successful launch of new ballistic missile
Alex Croft12 May 2026 15:30
Russia tests new nuclear ballistic missile and claims it could enter combat this year
Russia has successfully tested its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, Sergei Karakayev, the commander of the strategic missile forces said.Â
Karakayev was speaking to Russian president Vladimir Putin on Tuesday when he confirmed the test.
Putin said that Russia planned to put the Sarmat on combat duty by the end of this year.
Alex Croft12 May 2026 15:10
Watch: Putin claims Russia-Ukraine war is ‘coming to an end’
Alex Croft12 May 2026 14:32
Russian government has secured economy, claims Kremlin
We can bring you more from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
He is speaking on the Russian economy, which has ben struggling under heavy sanctions ever since Vladimir Putin launched his war on Ukraine.
The Russian government has taken the necessary measures to ensure economic stability despite Moscow being forced to slash its economic growth forecast for 2026, Peskov says.
New forecasts by Russia’s Economy Ministry lowered estimates for gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2026 to 0.4 per cent from 1.3 per cent and cut estimated growth in 2027 to 1.4 per cent from 2.8 per cent.
Deputy prime minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday that growth was expected to reach 2.4 per cent in 2029 however.
Peskov said that Vladimir Putin was closely involved in economic issues and that Russia could «talk confidently» of macro-economic stability despite volatility in global markets driven by the conflict in the Middle East.
Alex Croft12 May 2026 14:01
Belarus athletes cleared to compete under own national flag in Olympic sport amid Ukraine-Russia war
Belarusian athletes will be allowed to represent their country in modern pentathlon competitions from next week, after the sport’s governing body, the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), lifted restrictions on their participation on Tuesday.
This move follows last week’s decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that paved the way for Belarusian athletes to return to international competition, including qualification events for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The IOC had recommended Russian and Belarusian athletes be banned from competitions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Belarus has been used as a staging ground for the war, which entered its fifth year in February.
Alex Croft12 May 2026 13:30
Kremlin says peace process points to end of Ukraine war nearing
We're hearing from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov who has given his daily briefing to reporters.
He said on Tuesday that developments in the peace process indicate that the war in Ukraine is nearing completion, commenting on president Vladimir Putin’s remarks that the conflict is «coming to an endâ€.
Moscow welcomes US mediation efforts and reiterated its position that the conflict could be stopped at any moment should Ukraine and president Volodymyr Zelensky choose take the necessary decision, he added.
Alex Croft12 May 2026 13:01
Zelensky not under investigation amid graft probe
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is not currently a target of the ongoing major graft probe, the country's anti-corruption chief said on Tuesday.
James Reynolds12 May 2026 12:51
Ceasefire with Ukraine has expired, Moscow says
Russia’s Defence Ministry has said that a short ceasefire with Ukraine had expired and that its forces had resumed combat operations, Russian news agencies are reporting.
The ministry was also cited as saying that Russian air defence systems had shot down 108 drones in the past 24 hours.
Alex Croft12 May 2026 12:29
US pushing to provide sanctions relief to Moscow — report
The US is pushing to provide sanctions relief to Moscow as part of a temporary ceasefire, according to a report.
It comes as the Trump administration looks to revive a flagging peace process.
«They want Ukraine to agree to as much as possible, or at the very least not to stand in the way,» a source familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.
The move comes after Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between 9-11 May, a move which many saw as intending to ensure Moscow could carry out its Victory Day parade untarnished.
Alex Croft12 May 2026 12:18
