At a recent economic forum in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin made some of his strongest statements about Ukraine in a long time. During a question-and-answer session, he was asked about his goals in the ongoing conflict. Putin responded by asserting that he views Russians and Ukrainians as one people, declaring, "In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours." His remarks were met with loud applause from the audience, which included politicians and business leaders.
Putin went further, referencing an old saying: "Where a Russian soldier sets foot, that is ours." This statement underscored his desire for complete control over Ukraine. His comments were surprising, especially given the Kremlin’s recent attempts to adopt a softer tone amid peace discussions, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s interest in mediating a settlement.
In a notable shift, Putin also issued a nuclear threat, warning of "catastrophic" consequences if Ukraine were to use a dirty bomb against Russian forces. He labeled those in Ukraine as "neo-Nazis" and warned that such an act could be their last mistake. He emphasized that Russia would respond strongly to any aggression.
These remarks signal a return to aggressive rhetoric from Putin, reminiscent of earlier threats made during the last days of the Biden administration. With Trump now in a position of influence, it appears that Putin feels emboldened, suggesting he is confident in Russia’s position despite ongoing peace talks.
Overall, Putin’s statements indicate that Russia is not planning to back down, either on the battlefield or in negotiations. His comments reflect a determination to maintain a strong stance, even as the international community watches closely.
