What's happened
Ukraine is intensifying its military operations, including a recent strike in Russia's Kursk region, to strengthen its negotiating position for peace talks. However, both Ukraine and Russia remain firm in their territorial demands, complicating the prospect of a resolution. The EU is also moving forward with plans to utilize frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Politico, Ukraine's military actions are seen as a strategy to enhance its negotiating position, with presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak stating, "In the Kursk region, we can clearly see how the military tool is being used objectively to persuade [Russia] to enter a fair negotiation process." Conversely, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the possibility of negotiations, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to recognize Russian territorial claims. Meanwhile, Business Insider UK reports that the EU is committed to utilizing frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, despite delays caused by U.S. concerns over sanctions renewal. This highlights the complex interplay between military actions and diplomatic efforts in the ongoing conflict.
How we got here
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalated significantly in 2022 following Russia's invasion. Since then, Ukraine has sought military and financial support from Western allies while navigating complex diplomatic relations, particularly regarding NATO membership and territorial integrity.
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in