Russia rules out peace talks until Ukrainian forces leave Kursk

Siergiej Szojgu
Siergiej Szojgu
Images source: © Getty Images | Anadolu
Adam Zygiel

7:11 AM EDT, September 10, 2024

Russia does not intend to conduct peace negotiations with Ukraine as long as Ukrainian forces are in the Kursk region, said Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.

In an interview with Russia-24 television, Security Council Secretary and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that negotiations with Ukraine are not possible as long as its army operates in the Kursk region.

Until we expel them from our territory, we will, of course, not talk to them about any negotiations - said Shoigu.

According to the former defense minister, the Armed Forces of Ukraine had the "desire and intent to take over the nuclear power plant in Kursk" in order to "conduct nuclear terror."

- Fortunately, that did not succeed - he stated.

Operation in the Kursk region

Since early August, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been conducting operations in Russian territories, mainly in the Kursk region, where they remain active today. Russia has been forced to evacuate approximately 147,000 people from those areas.

Several dozen villages remain under Ukrainian control.

The Kremlin considers Ukraine's actions a "large-scale provocation." At the same time, the operation appears to be aimed at diverting Russia's attention and weakening it in other areas.

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