Kremlin Rules Out Returning Occupied Sumy and Kharkiv Areas in Any Future Ukraine Peace Deal

Russian officials say the Kremlin will keep the border districts of Sumy and Kharkiv under Russian control and will not return them in any forthcoming peace agreement with Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin is said to view the complete capture of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as a prerequisite for serious negotiations, aiming for full control by the end of 2026.

Analysts note that Ukrainian forces have increasingly struck deep into Russian territory, including Moscow and oil infrastructure, prompting calls for additional Western military aid. The United States is expected to supply up to 1,000 main battle tanks, while Poland is hosting American Abrams tanks and operates a sustainment centre in Poznań for both Polish and U.S. vehicles.