Zelenskyy: Ukraine plans to hold Kursk territories for “unlimited time”
President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's intention to retain control of territories in Russia's Kursk Oblast as part of a strategy to bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine intends to hold captured territories in Russia’s Kursk Oblast for an “unlimited time” to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, NBC News reported on 3 September.
In an interview with NBC News, Zelenskyy outlined this strategy as part of Ukraine’s “victory plan.” He emphasized that holding these territories is necessary, though he clarified that Ukraine does not seek Russian land in the long term.
“For now, we need it,” Zelenskyy said, adding, “We don’t need their land. We don’t want to bring our Ukrainian way of life there,”
The Ukrainian leader refused to discuss whether the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) plan to capture more Russian territory.
“I won’t say, I’m sorry, I can’t talk about it. It’s like the beginning of our Kursk operation. With all due respect, I can’t talk about it. I think success is very close to surprise,” Zelenskyy said.
According to the president, the administration of US President Joe Biden was unaware of the Kursk operation, which was kept strictly confidential within Ukraine itself.
Read also:
- Kirby condemns Russian attack on Poltava, promises more US aid
- Ukraine’s Foreign Minister tenders resignation in major government overhaul
- Russian attack on Ukraine overnight injures 43, kills 7, including 2 kids
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
