Fact Check: Putin claims 'the whole of Ukraine is ours'

Fact Check: "Putin claims 'the whole of Ukraine is ours'"

What We Know

On June 20, 2025, President Vladimir Putin made a statement during an economic conference in St. Petersburg, asserting that "the whole of Ukraine is ours." He elaborated that this claim is based on the belief that Russians and Ukrainians are essentially one people. In his remarks, he suggested that the Russian military might capture more territory, specifically mentioning the city of Sumy, which is currently under threat from Russian forces advancing in northern Ukraine (source-1, source-2).

Putin's comments come in the context of Russia having already annexed four regions of Ukraine. He emphasized that while he does not have a specific goal to seize Sumy, he does not rule it out either, stating, "Wherever a Russian soldier steps foot, that’s ours" (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that "the whole of Ukraine is ours" can be interpreted in several ways. On one hand, Putin's statement reflects a long-standing narrative in Russian political discourse that views Ukraine as historically and culturally linked to Russia. This perspective has been used to justify military actions and territorial claims. However, the phrase "in theory" was also noted in some reports, indicating that Putin's assertion may not translate into an immediate or practical policy of annexation (source-3, source-6).

The reliability of the sources reporting on Putin's statement varies. The New York Times and Reuters are generally considered credible news outlets, providing thorough coverage of international events. However, the framing of Putin's comments can differ based on the outlet's editorial stance. For instance, while some reports emphasize the aggressive nature of his comments, others may focus on the theoretical aspect, suggesting a more cautious interpretation of his intentions (source-1, source-2).

Conclusion

The claim that "Putin claims 'the whole of Ukraine is ours'" is Partially True. While Putin did make a statement asserting that Ukraine is inherently Russian, the context of his remarks includes a theoretical framework rather than an outright declaration of intent to annex the entire country. His comments reflect a complex interplay of historical narrative and current military strategy, which can lead to varying interpretations of his intentions.