Russia currently declines negotiations with Ukraine at the moment.
Amidst the Ukrainian assault on the Russian region of Kursk, Moscow has momentarily declined conversations with Kyiv. As Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin advisor, stated via Telegram, "Given this stunt, we won't converse for now." He further explained, "Engaging in discussions at this juncture would be downright inappropriate." The commencement of possible conversations hinges upon the situation on the battlefield, particularly in Kursk, Ushakov underlined.
On August 6, Ukrainian troops unexpectedly launched an offensive in the Kursk region and have since gained control of certain parts of the region. This is the most significant cross-border operation undertaken by Ukraine since the commencement of Russia's invasion in February 2022.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, stated that the purpose of this offensive is to intensify pressure on Russia during peace negotiations and establish a protective zone. Previously, he had outlined the full withdrawal of the Russian army from Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula, annexed in 2014, as a prerequisite for negotiations.
On the other hand, Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, insists upon the retreat of Ukrainian troops from four Russian-controlled territories within Ukraine and the renunciation of NATO alliances.
On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry declared the seizure of another village in the intensely contested eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. The town of Salisne, one of the region's key population centers, was mentioned in their announcement.
The European Union expresses concern over the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia in Kursk, calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Despite the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, the European Union urges both sides to return to the negotiation table within the framework of the European Union's diplomatic efforts towards de-escalation and peacebuilding in the region.
