On May 12, 2026, the Kremlin reaffirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement that the war in Ukraine is approaching its conclusion. This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed doubt about Russia's intentions to end the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that some trilateral discussions with Ukraine and the United States have occurred, suggesting that groundwork for a peace deal is in place. However, Zelenskyy warned that preparations for further Russian attacks are ongoing. The conflict, now in its fifth year, has seen Russia occupy approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, with Russia demanding additional land while Kyiv insists on troop withdrawal. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's attempts to mediate peace talks, no agreement has been reached. A short ceasefire was observed from May 9-11, but both sides reported continued skirmishes along the front lines, indicating that the situation remains volatile.