Kremlin claims peace talks no longer possible
Photo: Russian dictator Vladimir Putin (getty images)
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has ruled out any peace negotiations due to the recent escalation of the war he initiated against Ukraine, which has now extended into Russian territory, according to Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov.
"At the current stage, given this escapade, we will not talk," Ushakov said.
Ushakov labeled entering negotiations as "completely inappropriate" and noted that any further discussions "depend on the situation on the battlefield, including in the Kursk region."
Similar remarks were made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday, as reported by Russian state media.
"The President said this very clearly that after the attacks on the Kursk region began, not even attacks, but invasions of the territory of the Kursk region, there can be no talk of any negotiations," Lavrov stated.
Lavrov also mentioned that Putin plans to assess the situation in the Kursk region, where Ukraine has gained control over more than 90 settlements by the second week of the operation, a little later.
AFP reported that on August 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during his address to a meeting of Ukrainian foreign diplomatic officials, called on diplomats to organize a second round of peace talks this year, stating, "We must force Russia, with all our might and together with our partners, to make peace."
Bloomberg reported that India has agreed to facilitate communication between Zelenskyy and Putin. On August 23, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ukraine.
