Putin Repeats 'One People' Claim to Justify War, Says Ukraine Shouldn't Discuss Territories

Russian President Vladimir Putin repeated his claim on October 22 that Russians and Ukrainians are "one people," citing unspecified genetic research, and used this to argue Ukraine should not discuss territorial losses. Putin stated that occupied Ukrainian territories are "historical lands" of Russians and that residents of Donbas and "Novorossia" have already voted for "reunification" with Russia. He also claimed Russia has informed the US it is ready to resume trilateral negotiations to achieve "final peace" and ensure Russia's security. Putin asserted Russia never wanted war and that Kyiv chose conflict, while denying preparations for war with Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky countered that Moscow underestimated Ukrainians and fails to achieve battlefield victories in 2026.