Russian President Vladimir Putin said the war in Ukraine was “approaching its conclusion,” accusing Western countries and NATO of backing an “aggressive force” against Russia.

Putin made the remarks during Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, held under tight security and featuring a scaled-down military parade following long-range Ukrainian attacks.

The occasion coincided with a temporary U.S.-brokered ceasefire, although Moscow and Kyiv traded accusations of violating the truce on its first day.