Kremlin Backs Full Claim on Ukraine, Putin Clarifies: "Our Territory Extends Where a Russian Soldier Stands"
Russian president Putin states: "Any territory where a Russian soldier is stationed, we claim ownership over it."
During his speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear that the Kremlin's claim to Ukraine remains unyielding. In an off-the-cuff remark reminiscent of his past rhetoric, Putin stated that the entirety of Ukraine is, in essence, Russia's territory.
At the question-and-answer session, Putin bolstered his long-held belief that Russians and Ukrainians belong to the same people, demonstrating the sentiment with applause from the audience remarking, "In that sense, the whole of Ukraine is ours." When asked to clarify his intent to conquer Ukrainian lands, Putin reaffirmed his stance by saying, "Where the foot of a Russian soldier stands, that belongs to us."
Although his speech revolved minimally around Ukraine, Putin evoked the familiar narrative of NATO's eastward expansion as the chief justification for his actions in the neighboring country. The Russian president criticized the notion of Ukraine joining NATO, citing its independence as a neutral state following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Consequently, Putin advocated for Ukraine to return to a neutral status.
When probed about comparisons with US President Donald Trump's hardline stance on Iran, Putin refuted any parallel, defining Russia's objective as solely "the recognition of the realities that have emerged on the ground" in Ukraine. This statement is generally understood to mean that Russia's troops control a large section of the country and continue to expand. In essence, Russia seeks Ukrainian territories to be disarmed and led with pro-Moscow leadership.
Recent developments from Putin demonstrated a new level of aggression, as he made a potential move to annex the regional capital of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine. In response to this bold declaration, Ukrainian political figures have retaliated via their respective social media platforms, appealing for resistance and counteraction against Russian forces.
In the face of Russia's expansionist policies and territorial claims, Western analysts caution that conceding to Russian demands would perpetuate aggression and further encourage expansionism. As of June 2025, Russia controls roughly 19% of Ukraine's territory, including annexed regions. The military situation shows signs of continuous expansion, with an average of six square kilometers of new territory acquired each day earlier this year.
Trivia: Did you know that Crimea, seized during a referendum held in March 2014, is contested territory and remains an international controversy? This conflict unfolded amid escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, eventually resulting in a sharp decline in bilateral relations.
Sources:- ntv.de, ses/dpa- [1] BBC News. (2022, September 30). Timeline: The annexation of Ukraine's four occupied regions. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56090941- [2] Council on Foreign Relations. (2022, December 8). What do we know about Ukraine's eastern Donbas regions? https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/what-do-we-know-about-ukraines-eastern-donbas-regions- [3] The Guardian. (2022, February 24). What happened when Russia invaded Crimea? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/24/what-happened-when-russia-invaded-crimea- [4] GlobalData Analytics. (2022). Russia-Ukraine technical-military update – March 2022. https://www.globaldata.com/the-russia-ukraine-conflict-a-technical-military-perspective/- [5] Voice of America. (2022, June 20). The Stakes in Ukraine. https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-unwilling-to-compromise-on-territory-today/6703194.html
The European Union expresses strong condemnation towards Russia's expansionist politics in Ukraine, particularly the potential annexation of Sumy. This move is seen as an escalation of war-and-conflicts in the region, raising serious concerns about politics and general news worldwide. In response, Western analysts warn that conceding to Russian demands could fuel further aggression and territorial claims, potentially leading to a larger conflict. The European Union remains united in supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
