Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday, August 12, that there is no need for peace negotiations with Ukraine. He argued that Ukraine aims to improve its position in future negotiations through its recent invasion of the Russian region of Kursk.
“It appears that the enemy, with support from their Western backers, is executing their directives, and the West is using Ukrainians as proxies in this conflict. It seems the opponent is aiming to strengthen their negotiating position for the future,” Putin said during an operational meeting with government officials in Moscow.
“However, what kind of negotiations can we have with those who indiscriminately attack civilians and civilian infrastructure, or pose threats to nuclear power facilities? What is there to discuss with such parties?” he questioned.
Putin claimed that Kyiv’s invasion also aims to stop Moscow’s advance in eastern Ukraine, adding that the main task of Russian forces is to drive out Ukrainian troops from its territory.
According to him, Russia’s offensive in eastern Ukraine has increased by “one and a half times,” and the country’s military is advancing along the entire front line.
He went on to claim that another goal of Ukraine’s incursion is to “create discord and division” within Russian society, as well as to “undermine the unity and cohesion of the Russian people.”
“The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are increasing dramatically, including among the most combat-ready units and divisions that the enemy is transferring to our border,” he said, adding that there has been a notable increase in the number of people signing contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry.
Last Tuesday, Russia reported that Ukrainian troops, including tanks and armored combat vehicles, attacked its military positions near two border settlements in the Kursk region.
Since then, Moscow has reported repelling incursions into the border region by Ukrainian forces and countering airstrikes launched at Kursk and surrounding areas.
On August 7, Putin accused Kyiv of carrying out a “large-scale provocation” and “indiscriminate shooting.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later commented on the allegations, saying: “Russia brought the war to our land and should feel what it has done.”
Russia and Ukraine have also traded accusations after reports emerged late Sunday of a fire breaking out at a cooling tower of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Moscow has accused Ukraine of causing the fire by shelling the city of Enerhodar, which hosts the power plant. Kyiv, on the other hand, blamed Russia for starting the fire and using the plant to “blackmail Ukraine, all of Europe, and the world.”
