EU's Kallas says weakened Putin gives 'opportunity' to end Ukraine war - International - World

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday said signs that Russian President Vladimir Putin's position is weakening could open a window to ending the war in Ukraine.

Putin over the weekend suggested that the war in Ukraine was "heading to an end" after more than four years of bloodshed.

"What his statement really shows is that he's not in a strong position," Kallas said after a meeting with EU defence ministers.

"So I think there's an opportunity for ending this war."

Western and Ukrainian officials say that after a dire outlook last year, the tables in the conflict appear to be turning, with Moscow sustaining record casualties and Kyiv launching strikes on Russian oil facilities.

Kallas -- a hawkish former prime minister of Estonia -- has previously insisted that Putin does not seem interested in ending the war, and has been stringing US President Donald Trump along in his efforts to end fighting.

A US push to stop the conflict has largely fizzled in recent weeks, as Washington has focused on its war with Iran.

Russia convinced Ukraine to join a three-day truce in recent days over Moscow's major holiday to mark victory in World War II.

The move -- and a decision to scale back a Red Square parade -- appeared an admission from the Kremlin that it was scared of potential Ukrainian strikes.

Putin has also floated his long-time ally, former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, as a potential mediator between Russia and Europe over the Ukraine war.

But Kallas and other EU officials have rejected that suggestion.

Short link: