“Blinken recalled that the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden wants to ensure that “Ukraine has as strong a hand as possible to play.””, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
Blinken recalled that the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden wants to ensure that “Ukraine has as strong a hand as possible to play.”
“Their position in Kursk is important because that is certainly something that will be taken into account in any negotiations that may take place next year,” Blinken noted.
Blinken also stated that even if the negotiations take place, Ukraine will still need “adequate security guarantees”, as Russian President Vladimir Putin will not consider that “the game is over”.
“His imperial ambitions remain and what he will try to do is rest, rearm and eventually attack again,” the secretary of state said.
Read also: Ukraine launched a new offensive on the Kursk region of Russia (updated)
On January 5, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the NSDC, reported that “Russian troops in Kursk were attacked from several directions, which was a surprise for them.”
Subsequently, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation confirmed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had launched a new assault on Kurshchyna. At the same time, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, announced “good news” from the Kursk region” and that Russia “receives what it deserves.”
The armed forces of Ukraine began an operation in the Kursk region on August 6, occupying more than 1,000 square kilometers. Then the Russian army, with the help of North Korean troops, was able to recapture part of the territory.
In November, the Reuters agency, citing a high-ranking Ukrainian military source who works in the General Staff of Ukraine, reported that due to Russian counterattacks, Ukraine had lost more than 40% of the territory in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, which it captured during hostilities in August. According to the source, Russia has deployed about 59,000 troops in the Kursk region.