Vladimir Putin claims Ukraine as fundamentally Russian territory, with a focus on Sumy city, on June 20th, 2025 – Deutsche Welle

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people” and that Ukraine is theirs. His remarks underscore Moscow’s rejection of Ukrainian sovereignty and heighten concerns over Russia’s territorial ambitions. Putin made these statements at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, saying that where Russian soldiers tread, that land is theirs. The Russian leader also indicated that he did not rule out the capture of the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which is located close to the Russian border. Reflecting skepticism over the prospect of peace negotiations, Putin’s comments come at a time when Moscow seeks further Ukrainian territorial concessions as a condition for a ceasefire.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/putin-says-all-of-ukraine-is-ours-as-he-eyes-sumy-city/a-72990253?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf