Putin claims ‘All of Ukraine is Ours’ in latest blow to Peace Talks

In a blunt address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Vladimir Putin declared that “all of Ukraine is ours,” marking his strongest assertion of territorial ambition since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly three and a half years ago.

Asked to define his ultimate goal in Ukraine, Putin insisted his view was rooted in shared history:“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.”, Putin said according to Sky News’ Moscow correspondent.

He then invoked an old military maxim: “There is an old rule. ‘Where a Russian soldier sets foot, that is ours.’”

According to The Independent, the comments drew applause from an audience of Russian officials and business leaders. They come as Russian forces press their offensive in eastern Ukraine, with recent gains reported around Donetsk and the capture of the village of Zaporizhzhya, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.

Putin went on to issue a veiled nuclear warning, vowing “catastrophic” consequences if Kyiv were ever to deploy a so-called “dirty bomb.”

Although Ukraine has consistently denied any plans to use such a device, Putin painted the hypothetical use as a “colossal mistake on the part of those whom we call neo-Nazis on the territory of today’s Ukraine. It could be their last mistake.” He added:“We always respond and respond in kind. Therefore, our response will be very tough.”

Meanwhile, Washington has dialed back direct pressure on Moscow. A U.S. inter-agency working group aimed at pushing Russia toward peace talks was disbanded this week after officials concluded that the Trump administration showed little interest in enforcing tougher measures, three U.S. sources told Reuters. President Biden’s administration has also shifted its focus toward the conflict between Iran and Israel, raising questions about continued Western resolve on Ukraine.