Putin Jokes About Occupying Ukraine’s Sumy Region

The peace plan of the Russian Federation contains a condition under which Ukraine must legally recognize the annexation of Crimea by Russia, as well as actually agree to the occupation of part of the eastern regions.

Russia Wants Sumy – Says ‘This Land Is Not Foreign to Us’

During his staged meeting in Kursk, the Russian president entertained calls to capture Sumy, fueling fears Moscow would try to annex more Ukrainian territory.

Russia mocks Ukraine during direct talks, raising suspicion of bad faith

Russia confirmed it still seeks to annex four regions of Ukraine, plus Crimea, and force Ukraine to be a buffer state.

Institute for the Study of War

Russian President Vladimir Putin likely orchestrated a meeting with Kursk Oblast officials on May 20 to set conditions to justify the renewal of Russian plans to seize Sumy City and illegally annex Sumy Oblast. Putin met with municipal leaders in Kursk

Putin ‘jokes’ with Russian officials about annexing Ukraine’s Sumy region

A local official in Russia’s Kursk region told Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that annexing Ukraine’s Sumy region is necessary for national security. “Sumy should be ours,” said Pavel Zolotaryov, head of the Glushkovsky District, at a meeting between municipal leaders and the president. “We can’t live like we’re on a peninsula. We need more — Sumy, at the very least. That’s how I see it. And with you as commander-in-chief, we will win,” Zolotaryov …

Putin Jokes About Occupying Ukraine’s Sumy Region

President Vladimir Putin appeared to make light of militarily seizing Ukraine’s Sumy region during a visit to Russia’s southwestern Kursk region, even as the Kremlin claims to be pursuing a negotiated end to the war.