Putin says that Russians and Ukrainians are "the same people" and that Ukraine is not "their territory"

Vladimir Putin claimed that Russians and Ukrainians are "one people" based on alleged genetic studies, asserting that annexed Ukrainian regions are historically Russian territory. He stated that the territories of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia are not Ukrainian and that referendums indicate residents' desire to be Russian. Putin emphasized that discussing territorial losses is inappropriate and expressed willingness to negotiate, highlighting the close ties between the two peoples.