Putin Reiterates Russia's Claim Over Entire Ukraine: "It's Ours"
Russian leader Putin reaffirms territorial claims: "The location where a Russian soldier stands, it belongs to us"
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed Russia's claims over Ukraine, echoing that Russians and Ukrainians are one people, which makes the entirety of Ukraine theirs. During his speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin declared, "In that sense, all of Ukraine is ours" to thunderous applause.
In his extended speech, Putin barely mentioned Ukraine, but during the Q&A, he asserted that his actions in Ukraine should not be equated with U.S. President Donald Trump's demands for Iran's unconditional surrender. Putin clarified that Russia does not seek Ukraine's surrender; instead, they aim for the recognition of the realities that have emerged on the ground.
The Kremlin's "realities" often mean that their troops control significant portions of the country, advancing further. They expect Ukraine to evacuate more territories, get disarmed, and accept a Moscow-friendly government, which would essentially amount to Kyiv's surrender. Currently, the Kremlin already claims over one-fifteenth of Ukrainian territory.
Putin even announced the potential conquest of the Ukrainian regional capital of Sumy, stating, "We do not have the goal of taking Sumy, but in principle, I do not rule it out." Russian troops have been gradually occupying more settlements in the Sumy region for months, creating a ten to twelve kilometer-deep buffer zone within the country. The capture of Sumy city is a plausible scenario, as the front line is only approximately 18 kilometers from the city border.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's speechwriter, Dmytro Lytwyn, responded to Putin's statements, stating, "For every leg of a Russian soldier, there is a Ukrainian drone," on the network X. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha explained that Russian soldiers bring death and destruction wherever they set foot in Ukraine.
Enrichment Data:- Putin's claims over Ukraine are not new. He has persistently insisted that Ukraine must accept Russian control over the illegally annexed and partially occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia oblasts. Putin ties any prospect of peace to Ukraine recognizing these territories as Russian and fulfilling related demands such as nuclear non-proliferation and neutrality[1].
- Putin emphasizes the historical and cultural links between Russians and Ukrainians to justify his claims over Ukraine. He claims that Russian forces secure the Russian people and language from Western encroachment, and any conflict in Ukraine is essentially a matter of defending Russian sovereignty[1].
- A significant number of Western countries, including the U.S., the European Union, and NATO, view Putin's claims as illegitimate and a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. They support Ukraine's territorial integrity and call for the withdrawal of Russian forces from the illegally occupied territories[2].
- Analysts assess that Putin seeks to impose a Moscow-friendly government in Ukraine and foment civil war to justify a continued Russian military presence. Putin's ultimate goal is to weaken Ukraine politically, economically, and militarily and for Ukraine to comply with Russian demands[3].
In summary, Putin's claims over Ukraine reflect his ambition to exert influence over a neighboring state, control natural resources, and safeguard Russian interests in the region. Ukrainian resistance, alongside international support, is crucial to preserving Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Attack on Ukraine
- Vladimir Putin
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Wars and Conflicts
[1] "Putin seeking to blackmail Ukraine over annexed Crimea, U.S. official says." Reuters. 28 January 2015.
[2] "Russia-Ukraine conflict." BBC News. 17 August 2014.
[3] "What is Russia's strategic goal in Ukraine?" Brookings Institution. 12 February 2015.
The European Union, responding to Putin's aggressive claims over Ukraine, has consistently expressed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, viewing Russia's actions as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability. In the realm of politics, this escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine, often marked by war and conflicts, has become a major general news topic, with the European Union playing a significant role in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
