Russian President Vladimir Putin said he sees a glimmer of hope for progress in resolving the conflict around Ukraine, though much will depend on how events unfold. Speaking at a press conference after his visit to China, he described the situation as showing «a certain light at the end of the tunnel.»

Putin emphasized that Moscow remains committed to pursuing its objectives through peaceful means. However, he warned that if diplomacy proves impossible, Russia will be forced to achieve its goals militarily. He pointed to the current mood in Washington, noting what he described as a genuine willingness from the administration of U. S. President Donald Trump to search for a solution.

The Russian leader recalled that Moscow had repeatedly proposed peaceful scenarios to end the fighting, but was met with rejection from Kiev. According to him, Ukraine openly insisted it would continue hostilities until one side delivered a decisive blow. He added that after Russian forces withdrew from Kiev at the urging of European partners, the stance of Ukraine shifted dramatically toward continuing the war.

Putin remarked that different international actors approach the crisis differently: some push for prolonging the conflict «to the last Ukrainian," while others-including parts of Europe and officials in Washington-are seeking a political settlement. He also argued that the war is being used as a pretext to pursue economic goals against certain states whose trade relations are seen as undesirable by others.

From August 31 to September 3, Putin was on a working trip to China, where he attended a Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting and held a series of bilateral talks. In Beijing, he also took part in three-way negotiations with China and Mongolia and met separately with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit concluded with a large military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Japanese militarism and the end of World War II, where Putin was the guest of honor alongside other heads of state.