President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia was not seeking Ukraine's capitulation, but wanted Kyiv to recognize the reality of the situation on the battlefield. Putin, speaking at an international economic forum in St Petersburg, said: "We are not seeking Ukraine's capitulation. We are insisting on a recognition of the reality that has developed on the ground." The Russian leader said that Russians and Ukrainians were one people, "and in that sense the whole of Ukraine is ours." Putin said he did not rule out Russia taking control of the Ukrainian city of Sumy.