'All of Ukraine is ours,' says Putin
Russia President Vladimir Putin has issued has declared that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people” and “all of Ukraine is ours”, in that sense, “the whole of Ukraine is ours.”
"I have already said many times: Russians and Ukrainians are one people— in this sense, the whole of Ukraine is ours… But we have never questioned Ukraine’s sovereignty," he said.
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While speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin repeated longstanding claims that Moscow has no aim to destroy Ukraine, but said Kyiv must accept Russia’s territorial advances if peace is to be achieved.
When asked about his endgame in the conflict, Putin replied, “I have said many times that I consider the Russian and Ukrainian people to be one nation. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours,” openly revealing his territorial ambitions.
"At the same time, the conditions under which Ukraine became independent were set forth in the 1991 Declaration of Independence of Ukraine, where it is clearly written in black and white that Ukraine is a non-aligned, non-nuclear, neutral state. It would be good to return to these fundamental values," Putin added.
Putin went on to clear his stance on Ukraine he “There is an old rule.” “Where a Russian soldier sets foot, that is ours.”
His remarks also included ominous warnings to Ukraine and firm rejections of its Western-backed diplomatic efforts. “We are not seeking Ukraine’s surrender. We insist on recognition of the realities that have developed on the ground,” he said.
While presenting Russia’s stance as open to peace, Putin insisted that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions and accept Russian control over the occupied territories.
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He further intensified his rhetoric regarding Ukraine’s alleged nuclear intentions. When asked about the possibility of Kyiv using a “dirty bomb,” Putin warned it would be “their last mistake” and vowed a “catastrophic” response.