Putin Threatens New War if Ukraine Rejects 2022 Referenda Results
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with Sky News Arabia, warned that Ukraine could face renewed fighting if it does not accept the results of the 2022 referenda held by Moscow in four Ukrainian regions—Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk—which Russia claims to have annexed. Putin stressed that Kyiv must acknowledge these referenda, widely criticized as illegitimate, to avoid future conflict. He also illegally annexed Crimea in 2014.
In September 2022, Russia conducted referenda in the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia to justify their annexation, following its invasion of Ukraine in February. Despite not fully controlling these areas, Russia claimed the referenda supported its annexation, formalized by a treaty signed by President Vladimir Putin. The international community widely denounced these votes as fraudulent. Putin’s recent statements, emphasizing that Ukraine must accept these referenda results as a condition for peace, underscore Moscow’s rigid stance in negotiations. This position, unacceptable to Kyiv, indicates that a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing war initiated by Russia remains unlikely, as Ukraine continues to fight to reclaim these territories.
In a Sky News Arabia interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned that Ukraine risks renewed armed conflict if it does not acknowledge the 2022 referenda results. He claimed Russia was near a deal with Ukraine during 2022 Istanbul talks and urged Ukrainian leaders to prioritize national interests over those of external parties.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that lasting stability in the region depends on Ukraine maintaining neutrality, avoiding alliances, and forgoing nuclear weapons. He accused Western nations of exploiting Ukraine as a tool against Russia, asserting that Ukraine deserves a better fate than being manipulated by foreign powers. These remarks echo his speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where he claimed Ukraine is part of Russia and that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people.” In response to Putin’s comment that territories stepped on by Russian soldiers belong to Russia, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X, stating that Russian soldiers bring only death and destruction.
Putin’s statements reduce the likelihood of peace negotiations, particularly as he mentioned the possibility of seizing Sumy to establish a border buffer zone. Earlier, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky warned that Russia would capture more territories if Ukraine rejects Moscow’s terms. With U.S. ceasefire proposals stalled, Yuriy Boyechko, CEO of Hope for Ukraine, told Newsweek that halting the war requires the Trump administration to push Putin for at least a 30-day ceasefire.
Boyechko noted that, amid global focus on the Iran-Israel conflict, Russia’s recent deadly assault on Ukraine—the worst in nearly a year—signals a new phase in the war. He urged the U.S. Senate to pass a bill, sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham, with a veto-proof majority to impose additional sanctions on Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that lasting stability in the region depends on Ukraine maintaining neutrality, avoiding alliances, and forgoing nuclear weapons. He accused Western nations of exploiting Ukraine as a tool against Russia, asserting that Ukraine deserves a better fate than being manipulated by foreign powers. These remarks echo his speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where he claimed Ukraine is part of Russia and that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people.” In response to Putin’s comment that territories stepped on by Russian soldiers belong to Russia, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X, stating that Russian soldiers bring only death and destruction.
Putin’s statements reduce the likelihood of peace negotiations, particularly as he mentioned the possibility of seizing Sumy to establish a border buffer zone. Earlier, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky warned that Russia would capture more territories if Ukraine rejects Moscow’s terms. With U.S. ceasefire proposals stalled, Yuriy Boyechko, CEO of Hope for Ukraine, told Newsweek that halting the war requires the Trump administration to push Putin for at least a 30-day ceasefire. Boyechko noted that, amid global focus on the Iran-Israel conflict, Russia’s recent deadly assault on Ukraine—the worst in nearly a year—signals a new phase in the war. He urged the U.S. Senate to pass a bill, sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham, with a veto-proof majority to impose additional sanctions on Russia.
What People Are Saying
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, responding to Putin’s SPIEF speech, wrote on X that Putin’s remarks show contempt for U.S. peace efforts. He accused Putin of planning to seize more Ukrainian territory and labeled him a “war criminal” responsible for the deaths of one million Russian soldiers in a futile war, achieving no strategic objectives. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Putin’s claim of Russians and Ukrainians being one nation is part of his justification for ongoing aggression against Ukraine, reflecting his intent to destroy the Ukrainian state and subjugate its people.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, responding to Putin’s SPIEF speech, wrote on X that Putin’s remarks show contempt for U.S. peace efforts. He accused Putin of planning to seize more Ukrainian territory and labeled him a “war criminal” responsible for the deaths of one million Russian soldiers in a futile war, achieving no strategic objectives. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Putin’s claim of Russians and Ukrainians being one nation is part of his justification for ongoing aggression against Ukraine, reflecting his intent to destroy the Ukrainian state and subjugate its people.