Putin Stands Firm on Claiming Ukraine, Threatens Capture of Sumy
Russian president Putin declares: "Any territory a Russian soldier occupies belongs to us."
In a breathtaking display at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear that his country's claim over Ukraine extends across its entirety. With a subtle nod to history, Putin declared, "In that sense, all of Ukraine is ours." This bold stance echoed through the convening, resonating with applause from the audience.
During his lengthy speech, Putin surprisingly treaded lightly on the topic of Ukraine. However, in a subsequent Q&A, he unequivocally reaffirmed his territorial ambitions. When queried about desired conquests in Ukraine, he responded, "Where the foot of a Russian soldier stands, that belongs to us." The crowd responded with more applause.
The President's defense of Russia's presence in Ukraine hinges on NATO's westward expansion. Moscow vehemently opposes Ukraine's accession to the alliance at any cost. According to Putin, Ukraine was once a neutral state following its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and it should be returned to that status.
Furthermore, Putin downplayed the parallels between Russian actions in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's demands for Iran's unconditional surrender, stating that their objectives and rationale are not synonymous. He stressed that Russia seeks not Ukraine's unconditional surrender but rather recognition of the status quo on the ground.
In recent months, Russian troops have been slowly conquering more and more settlements in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Sumy. The capture of Sumy's regional capital has been a possibility, given that Russian forces are establishing a buffer zone there, with the front line only 18 kilometers from the city border. Although Putin didn't expressly state a desire to seize Sumy, he indicated that it's not an outright impossibility.
In response to Putin's assertions, Ukrainian officials expressed defiance and resolve. President Zelenskyy's speechwriter, Dmytro Lytwyn, tweeted, "For every leg of a Russian soldier, there is a Ukrainian drone. Steady and firm, Ukraine shall prevail." Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha asserted that wherever a Russian soldier sets foot, they bring devastation, further underscoring Ukraine's commitment to resisting Russian territorial claims.
Source: ntv.de, ses/dpa
- Vladimir Putin
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Wars and conflicts
Enrichment Data:
Vladimir Putin's stance on Ukraine and its territories, including Sumy, remains steadfastly entrenched in Russia's longstanding objectives. Putin insists Ukraine must recognize Russian control over annexed territories—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia oblasts—before any long-term peace can be established. He also demands Ukraine's neutrality, renunciation of foreign alliances, and agreement to nuclear non-proliferation[1].
Regarding Sumy, Putin has signaled that while he currently does not prioritize capturing the city, he does not categorically rule it out. He justifies such a move by citing ongoing threats from Ukrainian forces shelling border areas[2]. Putin's stance implies that Sumy, like other seized territories, could become part of a larger strategy aimed at bolstering Russia's border security and asserting political and territorial dominance over Ukraine[1][2].
The European Union, as a global political entity, has expressed concern over the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly in the context of Putin's territorial ambitions in Ukraine. Recent developments, such as the potential capture of Sumy, are being closely monitored by the EU, given the implications for war and conflicts in the region. The European Union continues to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, suggesting a need for diplomatic intervention to maintain peace and prevent further conflicts.
