Putin's Aggressive Stance on Ukraine Continues

Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to seize more land in Ukraine to protect bordering Russian territory, citing Ukrainian incursions into Russia and shelling of border regions. Putin also claimed that Ukrainian forces had suffered "catastrophic" losses in a new counteroffensive, and he said he was not contemplating a new troop mobilization. Putin's comments came after Russian missile strikes in central Ukraine killed at least 11 people overnight. The United States announced a new military aid package worth up to $325 million for Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told President Joe Biden that Ukrainians are "making progress," which could bolster their position in any peace talks.