Putin Claims Ukraine Chose War, Calls Donbas Russian Territory

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a series of statements on Thursday, October 22, claiming Ukrainian lands are historically Russian and that Kyiv, not Moscow, seeks war. He also alleged mass desertions in the Ukrainian military. Speaking to state media journalist Pavel Zarubin, Putin asserted that Donbas is not Ukrainian territory and that Kyiv has no grounds to discuss territorial losses. He revived his narrative that Russians and Ukrainians are one people, citing genetic research, and claimed Ukraine treats its citizens as "expendable material." Putin dismissed European warnings of war with Russia as "political schizophrenia" and insisted a strategic defeat of Russia is impossible. He expressed readiness for negotiations with the US and Ukraine, stating he agreed with US envoy Steve Witkoff to resume trilateral contacts in mid-November.