Kathrine Frich
Putin, clearly amused, made light of the suggestion, prompting laughter from nearby officials.
Putin, clearly amused, made light of the suggestion, prompting laughter from nearby officials.
Putin Jokes About Seizing More Ukrainian Land
During a recent trip to the Kursk region, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to joke about occupying Ukraine’s Sumy region.
The remark, caught on video, comes as Russia continues military operations near the border and hints at further territorial ambitions despite ongoing peace talk rumours.
Caught on Camera: “Sumy Should Be Ours”
The moment was captured by Russia’s TASS news agency. A local official, Pavel Zolotarev, told Putin that
“Sumy should be ours” and complained that the region felt isolated, “like a peninsula.”
Putin, clearly amused, made light of the suggestion, prompting laughter from nearby officials.
“He Wants More of Everything”: Putin’s Dig at Ally
With a grin, Putin pointed at acting Kursk Governor Alexander Khinshtein and quipped,
“That’s why Alexander Yevseyevich was elected. And he wants more of everything.”
The remark was interpreted as a tongue-in-cheek nod to territorial expansion, and perhaps a jab at Khinshtein’s ambitions.
War Talk Wrapped in Laughter
Though framed as a joke, the exchange came amid reports of escalating military action in Sumy and Kharkiv.
Critics argue that such comments normalize aggression and blur the lines between casual banter and strategic intent.
Tense Timing: Talks of Peace, Threats of Occupation
The joke came just days after reports surfaced that Russian negotiators had threatened to occupy both Sumy and Kharkiv during recent peace talks in Turkey.
While the Kremlin denies formal claims to the regions, its forces have ramped up attacks there in recent weeks.
Sumy Declared “Buffer Zone” by Russian Military
Earlier this month, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it was establishing a “buffer zone” in Sumy, echoing justifications used for its ongoing Kharkiv offensive.
Moscow says the move is to push Ukrainian forces further from the border, echoing Putin’s own orders during a previous visit.
North Korean Troops Helped in Kursk Push
General Valery Gerasimov told Putin that the Kursk region was now “fully liberated,” crediting North Korean support.
Ukrainian forces had reportedly held parts of the region after a surprise cross-border raid last August, which Russia says has since been repelled.