US secretary of state stresses importance of Ukraine's position in Russia's Kursk Oblast for future negotiations – map

Following talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Seoul, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that Ukraine's strategic position in Russia's Kursk Oblast is crucial to the prospects of any future negotiations.

Source: European Pravda, citing AFP

Details: AFP reports that Blinken said President Joe Biden's outgoing administration seeks to ensure that "Ukraine has the strongest possible hand to play".

"Their position in Kursk is an important one because certainly it's something that would factor into any negotiation that may come about in the coming year," the US secretary of state stressed.

Blinken noted that Ukraine will require "adequate security assurances" even if negotiations take place, as Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is unlikely to view this as "game over".

"His imperial ambitions remain, and what he will seek to do is to rest, refit, and eventually re-attack," he stressed.

Background:

• On 5 January, Ukraine's General Staff stated that Kursk Oblast had become the hottest area of the war zone, noting that 42 combat engagements had taken place there as of 16:00 that day.
• Recent reports suggest that Washington believes Ukraine may lose control of the territories it currently holds in Russia's Kursk Oblast within the coming months.
• US intelligence services believe that the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia was North Korea's idea, not Russia's.
• The Pentagon had previously predicted an increase in casualties among the North Korean military which continues to take part in the fighting in Russia's Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian forces are conducting operations.

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