Ukraine has strongly rejected Vladimir Putin’s assertion that the “whole of Ukraine” belongs to Russia. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiga, described Putin’s comments as showing “disdain” for the peace process between the two countries. In a statement on X, Sybiga stated that Putin’s statements aim to deprive Russia of its sense of impunity, which is needed to force Moscow into peace.
Putin claimed during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that Russians and Ukrainians are one people, with the “whole of Ukraine” being theirs. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly rejected this notion, stating that Putin’s terms for peace amount to capitulation.
Russia currently controls a significant portion of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of several regions. Putin emphasized that Moscow wants Ukraine to accept the reality on the ground if there is to be a chance at peace. He also underscored the importance of neutrality in Ukraine’s declaration of independence in 1991.
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250620-ukraine-slams-putin-s-disdain-for-peace-process-after-he-says-whole-of-ukraine-belongs-to-russia