Putin Claims All of Ukraine, Hints at Sumy Capture, Sparks Ukrainian Condemnation

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a statement asserting that, in his view, the entirety of Ukraine belonged to Russia. This declaration was coupled with a warning that advancing Russian forces might target the Ukrainian city of Sumy. The potential capture of Sumy was framed as part of a broader strategy to create a buffer zone along the border between the two countries. This buffer zone would likely be intended to provide a degree of security for Russian territory, potentially at the expense of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Ukraine's foreign minister swiftly denounced Putin's comments, characterizing them as clear evidence of Russia's contempt for ongoing U.S.-led peace efforts. The minister argued that Moscow's true intentions were to seize more Ukrainian territory and continue the loss of life among Ukrainian citizens. This condemnation underscored the deep-seated distrust and animosity that currently define the relationship between the two nations. The Ukrainian government views Russia's actions as a blatant violation of international law and a direct threat to its national existence.

The current territorial control held by Russia within Ukraine is substantial. Russia currently occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukraine's total landmass. This includes the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, and the vast majority of the Luhansk region, with control exceeding 99%. Furthermore, Russia maintains control over more than 70% of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. In addition to these areas, Russian forces have also secured fragments of the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, further solidifying their presence within Ukraine. This widespread control highlights the significant military and political challenges facing Ukraine.