Putin Claims Ukraine Will “Lose” Western Lands and Says Ukrainians “Fell Out With Each Other”

Vladimir Putin said Ukraine will sooner or later lose its western territories, repeating claims about historical unity and blaming outside forces for Russia’s war. In remarks to Russian navy personnel, he alleged that “everyone” in Ukraine has “fallen out with each other,” describing infighting over stolen money and accusing Kyiv of internal divisions. He also framed Russia as the “guarantor” of Ukraine’s territorial integrity while asserting Ukraine’s west should “fall back into place” over time. Ukrainian officials did not comment in the initial report, and the claims were widely disputed.