Vladimir Putin tells Russia ‘all of Ukraine is ours’
Vladimir Putin has declared that ‘all of Ukraine is ours’ in one of his most hardline comments on the country since Donald Trump took power (AP)
Vladimir Putin declared that "all of Ukraine is ours" during an investment event in St Petersburg, asserting that he considers Russian and Ukrainian people to be one nation.
This statement, one of Putin's most hardline comments since Donald Trump took power, came during a Q&A session regarding Russia's end goal in the protracted war.
Putin hinted at the potential use of nuclear weapons, warning of "catastrophic" consequences if Ukraine were to use a 'dirty bomb,' a claim Ukraine has consistently denied.
Russian troops continue to advance in eastern Ukraine, focusing attacks in the Donetsk region and recently capturing the village of Zaporizhzhya.
A US working group tasked with pressuring Russia into peace talks with Ukraine was disbanded, with officials indicating that Donald Trump was not interested in taking a tougher stance with Moscow.