Putin makes cynical statement about occupied Ukrainian territories

On Friday, August 1, a week before the deadline of the ultimatum announced by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war, Russian president Vladimir Putin made a cynical statement regarding the territories occupied by the Russian Federation.

The Kremlin dictator's remarks were quoted by propagandists of the Russian state news agency TASS.

"Russia is not seizing territories during the special operation but is reclaiming its own," Putin brazenly declared.

With this statement, the Russian president grossly disregarded Ukraine's sovereignty and internationally recognized borders, which he believes can be altered through military force.

Previously, the Kremlin leader had already spoken about an invented "ancient rule" under which everything captured by the Russian army becomes Moscow's property.

"Wherever the foot of a Russian soldier steps, it is ours," Putin arrogantly stated in June this year during a speech at the international economic forum in St. Petersburg.