US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed the opinion that the situation in the Kursk region of Russia is of critical importance for the further development of events and future negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine. According to him, this territory has become an important point of tension in the context of the armed conflict, and its stability can significantly affect the further diplomatic situation.
This is reported by Agence France Presse.
Blinken emphasized that Ukraine's position in this region is key, as it can significantly affect any negotiations that may take place next year.
"President Biden's administration wants to make sure that Ukraine has the strongest card for negotiations," said Blinken during a meeting with journalists in Seoul.
His words were heard against the background of reports of a possible counteroffensive by Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, where fierce fighting is ongoing.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on January 5, Ukrainian fighters repelled 47 attacks by Russian troops in the Kursk direction. The Russians also actively used guided aerial bombs and conducted artillery fire. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky previously reported, during the operation in the Kursk region, which began in August 2024, Russian troops suffered significant losses, including 38 thousand killed and wounded soldiers and more than a thousand pieces of equipment.
Ukrainian troops are actively advancing, and to support Russian positions, the Kremlin has engaged troops from North Korea. At the end of 2024, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, announced that more than 3,000 soldiers from the DPRK had died or were wounded during hostilities on Ukrainian territory.
