Russia's Putin expresses hope for peace negotiations with Ukraine, describing the prospect as a ray of light in a tunnel

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed optimism about the potential for a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating that he sees "a light at the end of the tunnel." This declaration was made during a press briefing in China, where Putin was attending the Tianjin SCO Summit and the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The Russian leader's optimism comes amidst ongoing efforts by former U.S. President Donald Trump to reach a peace deal on Ukraine. Following meetings with Putin in Alaska and the Oval Office in the United States, Trump expressed his expectation for a bilateral meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before a trilateral meeting that would include him.

However, Putin also made it clear that Russia will continue fighting in Ukraine if a peace deal isn't reached. He emphasised that any meetings, including the potential meeting with Zelenskyy in Moscow on September 3, 2025, are contingent upon them being well-prepared.

No new information has been provided about Putin's stance on continuing the fight in Ukraine if a peace deal isn't reached or his readiness to meet with Zelenskyy in Moscow for peace talks on September 3, 2025.

Meanwhile, in September 2025, Zelenskyy had a bilateral meeting prepared with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin. The details of Putin's visit to China, as well as the previously mentioned meetings with Trump, were not specified as being related to the peace talks or the conflict in Ukraine.

As the international community continues to work towards a resolution to the conflict, the statements made by Putin offer a glimmer of hope for peace in Ukraine.