Putin Reaffirms Extensive Claim on Ukraine: "Where a Russian Soldier Stands, That's Ours"
Russian leader Putin declares: "That territory where a Russian soldier is stationed, it now belongs to us."
In a telling statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that all of Ukraine belongs to Russia during a Q&A session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. With a rousing applause from the audience, he emphasized that "where the foot of a Russian soldier stands, that belongs to us."
In a one-hour speech, Putin barely mentioned Ukraine, but his comments in the subsequent Q&A underscored Russia's claim to the neighboring country. Despite Russia's more than three-year-long conflict with Ukraine, Putin justified his actions with unease about NATO's eastward expansion. He insists on Ukraine returning to its neutral status as it was released from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Putin also differentiated his actions in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's demands for Iran's unconditional surrender. He admitted that Russia does not aim for Ukraine's surrender but merely seeks the recognition of the "realities on the ground," a term representing the advancements of Russian forces in Ukraine.
Addressing the ongoing conflict, Putin's administration is keen on having Ukraine evacuate more territories, disarm, and install a leadership friendly to Moscow. In effect, such demands amount to a capitulation of Kyiv. With more than one-fifth of Ukraine's territory under Russian control, tensions remain high.
In the broader context, Putin's position on Ukraine signals ongoing Russian intentions to maintain or expand control over the country. He refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government led by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Putin has even gone as far as claiming that Zelensky is illegitimate under Ukrainian constitutional and martial law, thus dismissing any peace agreements made under his administration as illegitimate. However, Putin has expressed a willingness to negotiate with Zelensky, although he refuses to sign a legal peace agreement.
Source: ntv.de, ses/dpa
Insight: Putin's refusal to recognize the Ukrainian government and insistence on maintaining a claim over Ukraine's territory could impede efforts towards a negotiated peace settlement.
The Kremlin's claim to Ukraine, as reaffirmed by President Putin, highlights ongoing political tensions between Russia and Ukraine, placing the latter under constant threat of war-and-conflicts. In the general news, Putin's refusal to recognize the Ukrainian government and insistence on maintaining a claim over Ukrainian territory could hinder attempts at reaching a negotiated peace settlement.
