Russia has dominated out any dialogue of exchanging territories in potential negotiations with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned on Feb. 12, in keeping with the state information company TASS.
Peskov's assertion follows President Volodymyr Zelensky's remarks in an interview with The Guardian, the place he urged Ukraine might cede the territory it controls in Russia's Kursk Oblast in trade for Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.
"That is inconceivable. Russia has by no means mentioned and can by no means talk about the subject of exchanging its territory," Peskov responded.
Kyiv has beforehand signaled that its cross-border incursion in Kursk Oblast, launched in August 2024, might be utilized in potential peace talks with Russia. Zelensky now confirmed that the supply might be on the desk if U.S. President Donald Trump succeeds in opening negotiations.
Peskov claimed that Russia would have the ability to expel Ukrainian forces from its territory. Whereas Moscow has reclaimed some misplaced floor in Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian forces proceed holding positions within the area and lately superior 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles).
Zelensky didn’t specify what areas might be exchanged for Kursk Oblast territories.
Russia holds roughly 20% of Ukraine's land and illegally introduced the annexation of 4 partially occupied Ukrainian areas – the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts – in September 2022. Final 12 months, Russian President Vladimir Putin named an entire Ukrainian withdrawal from these areas as a key situation for talks, which Kyiv rejected.
Speak of ending Russia's battle in Ukraine has gained momentum since Trump took workplace on Jan. 20. His administration has set a 100-day purpose to dealer a decision, with particular envoy Keith Kellogg anticipated to go to Ukraine on Feb. 20 after the Munich Safety Convention.
The Kremlin has already indicated readiness to carry talks with Trump concerning the battle in Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
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