Ukrainian offensive disrupts secret ceasefire talks with Russia
This is a concerning report. As reported in the Saturday edition of the American daily "The Washington Post," the Ukrainian offensive on Russian territory thwarts secret efforts to achieve a partial ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow.
10:01 AM EDT, August 17, 2024
According to "The Washington Post," delegations from Ukraine and Russia planned to meet in Qatar this month to discuss the terms of an agreement to end attacks on the energy infrastructure of both countries.
Separate talks between Qatar and Russia and Ukraine were to enable negotiations and result in an agreement on this issue. However, the unexpected Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region thwarted these plans, the newspaper emphasized in the Saturday edition.
"The Washington Post" reminds that Russia consistently attacks Ukrainian energy infrastructure, and Ukraine reciprocates by striking Russian oil facilities using drones.
As reported by the American newspaper, a Russian diplomat involved in the talks said that the Russian side postponed the meeting with Qatari representatives in response to the entry of Ukrainian troops into Russian territory. He added that the Moscow delegation called it "an escalation" and noted that Ukraine had not informed Qatar of the plans for "its cross-border offensive."
According to the newspaper's source, the Kremlin is not abandoning the plan for talks, but they have been interrupted for now.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that a complete ceasefire would only be possible if Russia withdrew its troops from all Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin insisted that Ukraine recognize Russian control over those Ukrainian areas currently under Russian occupation.
