Pistorius: Putin Wants To Divert Attention From His Own Weakness

• 11.05.2026, 18:18

The German minister emphasized that the conflict can be ended very simply.

Russian dictator Putin is trying to divert attention from his own weakness with statements about the imminent end of the war in Ukraine.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said during a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Mikhail Fedorov.

He noted that it is up to the head of the Kremlin to stop the war and terrorization of Ukrainian civilians.

"I believe that Putin with his behavior now wants to divert attention from his own weakness. At the moment he can hardly boast of territorial gains. His army is losing parts of the captured territories again and again," Pistorius said.

The head of the German Defense Ministry said the Russian dictator could simply end the war in Ukraine if he really sees an end to the conflict.

"The question immediately arises for any careful observer: if he really sees an end to this war, could he simply end it? Then the moment of completion would be entirely in his hands. But in doing so, he is once again imposing conditions - as he always does," he said.

Pistorius noted fears that the dictator's statements are yet another maneuver to mislead and part of Russia's hybrid warfare. He added that over the past few years, every time there has been talk of a ceasefire or peace, Putin has ended up behaving very differently from what was agreed.

"The truth is - and I will never tire of repeating this - that if Vladimir Putin wanted to end his war of conquest against Ukraine, he could have done so very simply: by withdrawing his troops or inviting concrete negotiations without preconditions," Pistorius emphasized.