Putin: Russia Views Ukraine as ‘Ours,’ Doesn’t Exclude Sumy Capture

President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, declared that Moscow does not want Ukraine’s unconditional surrender and sees Russians and Ukrainians as a single people. He stated that ‘all of Ukraine is ours.’ Putin also mentioned the possibility of capturing Sumy, a city bordering Russia, though he clarified that this was not a primary objective. He was asked about the conflict in contrast to the Middle East, and broader military goals. On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to Putin’s remarks, asserting that Russia has no interest in a ceasefire and is determined to continue the war.