- Vladimir Putin declared that "all of Ukraine is ours" during an investment event in St Petersburg, asserting that he considers Russian and Ukrainian people to be one nation.
- This statement, one of Putin's most hardline comments since Donald Trump took power, came during a Q&A session regarding Russia's end goal in the protracted war.
- Putin hinted at the potential use of nuclear weapons, warning of "catastrophic" consequences if Ukraine were to use a 'dirty bomb,' a claim Ukraine has consistently denied.
- Russian troops continue to advance in eastern Ukraine, focusing attacks in the Donetsk region and recently capturing the village of Zaporizhzhya.
- A US working group tasked with pressuring Russia into peace talks with Ukraine was disbanded, with officials indicating that Donald Trump was not interested in taking a tougher stance with Moscow.
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