Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that Vladimir Putin may allegedly be planning to end the conflict in Ukraine by the end of 2026 on Moscow’s terms. The Kremlin denied this information.

According to the agency’s sources, the Russian president allegedly intends by that time to achieve full control over Donbass and reach a broad security agreement with Europe. Such an agreement, as claimed, would include recognition of Russia’s new territories.

However, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Vladimir Putin had not set any deadline for ending the conflict. In this way, the Kremlin rejected claims about an alleged plan to end hostilities by the end of 2026.

On May 9, Vladimir Putin said the conflict in Ukraine was approaching its end. Later, Peskov explained that the existing groundwork on the peace process makes it possible to speak of movement toward the end of the conflict, but there are no specific details at the moment.

On May 20, the Russian presidential spokesman said that Vladimir Zelensky remains the main obstacle to resolving the conflict.

On the same day, Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, said that U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff would like to visit Russia.