Putin's shift: Peace talks shelved amid rising tensions
According to "The Moscow Times," there was still hope for an agreement between Russia and Ukraine this summer, with both sides planning to make peace in Qatar. However, President Putin unexpectedly changed his mind.
The newspaper reported that the agreement was supposed to take place on 22-23 August. However, sources indicated that Putin drastically changed his stance, allegedly due to Ukraine's actions. It is claimed that he stated Ukraine had used the peace talks as a smokescreen for operations on Russian territory.
According to the publication, Putin ceased to consider peace talks with Kyiv as an option after an attack on the Kursk region. He purportedly stated that he would continue fighting until Ukraine collapses.
"The Moscow Times" reported that Putin expressed bitterness about the situation, claiming that Kyiv used the preparations for the meeting in Qatar to disguise operations on Russian territory.
As per the newspaper's source, the Kremlin concluded it would destroy Ukraine. "Now it smells of a no-holds-barred fight," the informant conveyed.
