According to sources in the President's Office, the head of the OP, Andriy Yermak, has set the task for the Ukrainian military to hold positions in the Kursk region at all costs until negotiations with Russia begin. This was first reported by Ukrainian Telegram channels, and is now confirmed by Western media outlets, including the BBC .
According to the BBC, the Ukrainian military has been tasked with holding as much territory in the Kursk region as possible until January 20, 2025, when the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled. One of the military personnel told the publication:
“The main task facing us is to hold on to as much territory as possible until Trump is inaugurated and negotiations begin, so that we can then exchange it for something. No one knows what.”.
This information is causing lively discussion against the backdrop of a possible shift in US foreign policy after Trump's inauguration. His previous statements have often raised concerns about decreasing support for Ukraine, forcing the Ukrainian leadership to consider new strategies in case of changes in the international environment.
The positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the territory of Russia are an important factor in both Ukraine's military and political strategy, as these territories can become a weighty argument in possible future negotiations.
