Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again asserted his goal of incorporating all of Ukraine into the Russian Federation, even as European countries ramp up military support to Kyiv in the face of paused U.S. aid.
Speaking at the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum on June 20, Putin reiterated the Kremlin’s narrative, stating, “I have said many times that Russians and Ukrainians are essentially one people. In that regard, all of Ukraine belongs to us.”
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His comments come amid a worsening conflict now in its third year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that nearly 695,000 Russian troops are operating within Ukraine, with another 52,000 attempting to launch a new offensive from Sumy near the northeast border.
The ground escalation unfolded alongside the NATO summit in The Hague (June 24–25), where NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that European and Canadian allies had pledged nearly $35 billion in military assistance to Ukraine so far this year—potentially increasing to $40 billion, approaching last year’s $50 billion in total support.
“This reflects the unwavering commitment of Ukraine’s allies, particularly in Europe, where the war is seen as a fundamental threat to the continent’s security,” Rutte said during the summit.
Germany and several other NATO nations also declared their intention to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035—a move that aligns with a demand made by former U.S. President Donald Trump following his re-election last year.
While Trump did attend the summit, he stopped short of announcing new military aid for Ukraine. Instead, he confirmed the sale of F-16 aircraft parts to Kyiv in May. President Zelenskyy had earlier appealed for more Patriot missile systems to defend against constant Russian airstrikes.
During a press briefing, Trump said, “We’ll see what we can do” regarding Patriot missile interceptors already deployed in Ukraine. “They’re very difficult to source. We need them too, and we’re supplying them to Israel,” he added.
Trump’s tone on Putin was notably firmer compared to his previous term, during which he was often criticized for his perceived leniency toward the Russian leader.
“I think he’s been misled,” Trump remarked. “Putin really needs to stop this war.”
Still, the Kremlin remains firm in its condition for a ceasefire, demanding that all Western nations completely halt military support to Ukraine—an ultimatum Kyiv and its allies have refused.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated over the weekend that Russia would only consider negotiations if arms deliveries to Ukraine came to a complete stop.
Despite continued international calls for peace, the war remains intense. Ukraine’s military reported an average of 200 Russian ground attacks daily during the NATO summit week, underlining the scale of ongoing combat.
Putin’s renewed claims, combined with escalating violence, have reignited European fears that Russia’s ambitions could eventually go beyond Ukraine.
Experts believe the increase in defense budgets by European NATO members not only shows support for Ukraine but also reflects growing unease about Moscow’s long-term intentions.
As the U.S. adopts a more restrained public role, European countries are increasingly stepping forward to fill the gap in leadership and support.
