Moscow mentioned it captured territory shortly earlier than potential peace talks start in Saudi Arabia.
Moscow says it has made new beneficial properties in Ukraine’s Sumy area and Russia’s Kursk area as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned he was “totally dedicated” to having a constructive dialogue with United States representatives forward of talks in Saudi Arabia to debate tips on how to finish Russia’s battle on Ukraine.
US and Ukrainian negotiators are set to satisfy for talks in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Tuesday, with US President Donald Trump’s administration vying to safe a ceasefire and a “framework” for a peace settlement.
Regardless of the upcoming talks, the Russian Ministry of Defence mentioned in a briefing that its forces had “liberated” the small village of Novenke in Sumy close to the border with Kursk. Moscow additionally introduced the recapture of the villages of Lebedevka, Malaya Loknya, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye and Kositsa in Kursk.
Russia briefly occupied components of Ukraine’s Sumy in the beginning of its all-out invasion in 2022 however has not taken any territory there since.
Kyiv has not but commented on Russia’s declare to have captured Novenke, which analysts say might deliver Russian troops nearer to blocking a serious Ukrainian provide route.
Zelenskyy mentioned in his night handle on Sunday: “I need to thank all our items who’re steadfastly and in opposition to all odds destroying the occupier, repelling assaults and defending our positions.
“Diplomacy can be robust solely on robust front-line positions. And we’re doing our greatest to make sure that Ukraine’s front-line wants are met.”
Who’s assembly who
The US reduce off Ukraine’s access to intelligence sharing and satellite tv for pc knowledge, as well as aid – following a White House public spat with Zelenskyy – in a bid to pressure Kyiv to barter an finish to Russia’s invasion – Europe’s largest battle since World Battle II.
Zelenskyy invited Trump’s wrath for rejecting a mineral deal, which the Ukrainian president says ought to contain a US safety assure. However the Trump administration has refused to decide to that and as a substitute requested Europe to step up support for the war-battered nation.
European leaders have, in the meantime, agreed to spice up defence spending as they pledged assist to Ukraine in opposition to Russian threats. Washington has additionally poured chilly water over Ukraine’s NATO ambitions.
Zelenskyy confirmed on Saturday that he would go to Saudi Arabia subsequent week and that after assembly with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, Ukrainian diplomatic and navy representatives would keep for a gathering on Tuesday with the US.
“Ukraine has been in search of peace from the very first second of this battle. Lifelike proposals are on the desk. The secret’s to maneuver shortly and successfully,” the Ukrainian president mentioned on X.
US envoy Steve Witkoff, in the meantime, confirmed final week that he would meet Ukrainian officers in Saudi Arabia, signalling that he would focus on an “preliminary ceasefire” and a “framework” for an extended settlement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may also go to Saudi Arabia between March 10 and 12 for talks with Ukrainian counterparts, a press release from the US Division of State mentioned.
He may also maintain talks with Prince Mohammed to debate regional points and methods to bolster US-Saudi Arabian ties, the State Division mentioned.
Rubio spoke with Ukrainian Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday and mentioned Trump wished to finish the war in Ukraine as quickly as doable.
Will probably be the primary high-level gathering of US and Ukrainian officers because the February 28 meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump devolved into a shouting match and ended with the Ukrainian chief being requested to go away the White Home.
