Vladimir Putin openly discussed possible scenarios of development concerning the Ukrainian border, specifically regarding the city of Sumy
In his speech at the XXVIII Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Russian president made several ambiguous statements that sparked a new wave of discussions and concerns within Ukrainian society and the expert community. His remarks about the likelihood of capturing Sumy and establishing a so-called "buffer zone" on that territory cast doubt on the Kremlin's official message regarding Russia's goals and intentions towards Ukraine as a whole. According to Putin's official position, Russia allegedly does not plan to seize Sumy; however, he hinted at the possibility of such a scenario if necessary. "There is no such task, but I do not exclude it," he stated. He added that Russian forces intend to create a "security zone" along the border with Ukrainian territory, with a depth of about 10 to 12 kilometers in the Sumy region, according to the Kremlin. These words caused surprise and concern among Ukrainian military and politicians, as the General Staff maintains that fighting continues there and Ukrainian troops have not withdrawn from these regions. Putin also emphasized that there is currently no confirmed evidence of Ukraine's aggressive intentions to use a "dirty bomb" against Russia, but he underscored that Moscow does not rule out such a possibility due to "sick minds" or ideas that could emerge within decision-making chains. He warned that any use of such weapons by Ukraine would serve as a reason for Russia to respond on a large scale and would have very serious consequences for Russia and regional security. "If Ukraine were to use a 'dirty bomb,' it would be a colossal crime, and Russia would be forced to respond," the Russian president emphasized. At the same time, he expressed hope that this would not happen and made every effort to convince the world community that Moscow has no such intentions. Alongside this, Putin stressed that Russia is carefully monitoring the situation and has no evidence that Ukraine is planning to use prohibited weapons or deploy a "dirty bomb." However, he did not rule out the possibility that ideas about utilizing such banned technologies might appear within foreign circles or Ukrainian leadership circles, which could further complicate the situation in the region. According to analysts, Putin's speech is another signal of escalating tension along Ukraine's borders. His words about the "security zone" and the possible capture of Sumy are linked to the Kremlin's intention to increase pressure on Kyiv and create additional obstacles for Ukraine. This aligns with Russia's long-term strategy of intimidation and demonstrating its capabilities in the region, which is unlikely to go unnoticed by the international community. Overall, these statements evoke concern and heighten tensions in inter-state relations, forcing Ukraine and its allies to prepare for a possible escalation of the conflict. Despite Russia's cautious assurances regarding peaceful intentions, the reality remains politicized and tense, and the situation at the borders continues to raise alarm across the global community.