NewsNo peace talks: Russia holds firm as Ukrainian forces persist

No peace talks: Russia holds firm as Ukrainian forces persist

Sergei Shoigu
Sergei Shoigu
Images source: © Getty Images | Anadolu
Adam Zygiel

10 September 2024 16:21

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 Defence 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 defence 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 an operation in Russian territories, mainly in the Kursk region, where they are still active today. Russia has been forced to evacuate approximately 150,000 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, it appears that the operation is aimed at diverting Russia's attention and weakening it in other directions.