Russia 'will not talk' to Ukraine given Kursk incursion: Kremlin aide
"At the current stage, given this escapade, we will not talk," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told the Russian Shot Telegram channel, adding that "at the moment it would be completely inappropriate to enter into a negotiating process".
- World
- AFP
- Published Date: 04:56 | 19 August 2024
- Modified Date: 04:56 | 19 August 2024
The Kremlin said Monday it "will not talk" to Ukraine given its incursion into Russia's Kursk region, which took Moscow by surprise and has now stretched into its second week.
Kyiv sent troops over the border on August 6, and has since held onto a part of the Kursk region, going on the attack in an offensive that has rattled Moscow.
"At the current stage, given this escapade, we will not talk," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told the Russian Shot Telegram channel, adding that "at the moment it would be completely inappropriate to enter into a negotiating process".
Asked when possible talks could begin between the two sides, he said: "I don't know, everything depends on the situation on the battlefield, including in the Kursk region."
Ukraine's operation, planned in utter secrecy, is an unprecedented incursion onto Russian soil and the biggest attack since Moscow launched the full-scale conflict in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the operation was aimed at putting "more pressure" on Russia in order to bring peace "closer".
- Scottish government suspends all meetings with Israel
- Canada urges immediate cease-fire, boost in aid to Gaza on World Humanitarian Day
- Ankara calls for Israel to be held accountable for Gaza massacres on World Humanitarian Day
- Russian Emergency Situations Ministry says 650 more people evacuated from Kursk region
- South Sudan remains one of most dangerous places for aid workers: UN