Summary:
- Ukraine has announced it will not retain Russian territory captured during its recent cross-border incursion and is open to halting further raids if Russia agrees to a fair peace agreement.
- Ukrainian forces have occupied up to 1,000 square kilometers of Russian land, leading to the evacuation of over 120,000 people from the area.
- Kyiv defends its actions as legitimate and urges Russia to agree to a peace settlement to end the conflict.
In a significant development, Ukraine has stated it will not hold on to the Russian territory it recently captured and has offered to cease its cross-border raids if Russia agrees to a “just peace.” This announcement comes after Ukrainian forces launched a major incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, seizing control of dozens of settlements in what is considered the largest foreign attack on Russian soil since World War II.
Since the attack, more than 120,000 residents have fled the affected areas. Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrsky reported that Ukrainian troops now control approximately 1,000 square kilometers of Russian land. However, an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War estimates a slightly lower area under Ukrainian control, around 800 square kilometers.
Georgiy Tykhy, a spokesman for Ukraine’s foreign ministry, emphasized that Ukraine has no interest in permanently occupying Russian territory and described its actions as “absolutely legitimate.” He urged Russia to agree to a peace settlement, suggesting that the raids by Ukrainian forces would cease promptly if a fair peace agreement were reached.
This development marks a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as Kyiv seeks to address the situation through diplomatic means while continuing its military efforts. The call for peace reflects Ukraine’s strategic approach to resolving the conflict and underscores the broader implications of the recent military actions.
