Putin's Aggressive Stance: Expanding Territory, Gloating Over Western Aid, and No Peace in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at plans to take more Ukrainian territory during his annual call-in program, while gloating over Ukraine losing international support. Putin boasted about Russian troops strengthening their positions in Ukraine and claimed that Ukraine has no relation to the Black Sea region, suggesting it belongs to Russia. He also appeared pleased about Western aid supplies to Ukraine drying up, stating that Kyiv's reliance on "handouts" would eventually end. Putin asserted that the Russian economy was thriving and dismissed the notion that it would collapse.