Russian President Vladimir Putin has just announced that there is no longer a need for peace negotiations with Ukraine. Speaking on Monday, August 12, Putin explained that Ukraine’s recent advances into the Russian region of Kursk are part of a strategy to strengthen their position in future talks.

During a meeting in Moscow, Putin accused Ukraine of being a pawn for Western countries, saying that the West is using Ukrainians to further their own interests in the conflict. He questioned the possibility of negotiating with a country that, according to him, targets civilians and threatens nuclear facilities.

Putin claimed that Ukraine’s true goal is to stop Russia’s progress in eastern Ukraine and create division within Russian society. He also mentioned that Russian forces are currently advancing along the front lines in eastern Ukraine, and that Ukraine is suffering significant losses, particularly among its best-trained units.

The situation in the Kursk region has been tense since last week when Ukrainian troops reportedly attacked Russian military positions near the border. Since then, Russia has been working to repel further incursions and airstrikes in the area.

Tensions escalated further after a fire broke out at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Both Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for the incident, with each side accusing the other of using the plant as a tool of blackmail.