Tensions Escalate: Putin's Claim on Ukraine Sparks Global Concern

In a provocative statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that the entire region of Ukraine is, in his view, part of Russia. This assertion has raised alarms globally, as Putin hinted at the possibility of Russian forces advancing to take the Ukrainian city of Sumy to carve out a buffer zone.

Currently, Russia controls significant portions of Ukraine, including Crimea and major areas within the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin described Russians and Ukrainians as one people, underscoring his contentious claim over Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, have vehemently opposed these statements, declaring them illegal and dismissing them as mere capitulation demands. Ukraine's Foreign Minister condemned Putin's comments as disdainful towards U.S. peace initiatives, underscoring the increasing strain on global diplomatic efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)