Zelenskyy Ready to Talk With US in Saudi Arabia, Russia Continues Attacks

KURSK, SATURDAY – Russian forces, Saturday (8/3/2025), claimed to have recaptured three villages in Kursk that were previously controlled by Ukraine during a swift offensive at the end of August 2024. This development occurred as Ukraine sought to strengthen its position in negotiations to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, yesterday, appointed high-ranking officials who will be involved in negotiations with the United States in Saudi Arabia, scheduled to begin on Tuesday (11/3/2025).

"We hope to promptly negotiate and agree on preparing the necessary steps," said Zelenskyy. "Ukraine is ready for constructive dialogue," Zelenskyy emphasized.

At the same occasion, Zelenskyy condemned Russia's deadly attack in eastern Ukraine that resulted in several fatalities. "The attack proves that Russia is not thinking about how to end the war," said Zelenskyy.

Trump stressed that Russia and Ukraine must come to the negotiating table before it is too late.

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has threatened to impose new sanctions and tariffs on Russia due to the attack. "Based on the fact that Russia is currently bombing Ukraine, I am considering imposing large-scale sanctions in the banking sector and tariffs until a Ceasefire is achieved and full peace is agreed upon," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

He stressed that Russia and Ukraine must sit down at the negotiating table before it is too late.

Director of the U.S. National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, stated last Friday that Trump is attempting to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiation table through a tough approach if a conciliatory method does not succeed.

As for Trump, he told reporters on Friday that President Putin could be trusted. "It is easier to negotiate with the Russian side in this matter," said Trump.

The three-year-old war is at a critical juncture for Ukraine after the US suspended military aid and intelligence supplies that Ukraine had relied on.

Ukraine still controls about 400 square kilometers of Russian territory in Kursk. Zelenskyy views this condition as one of the "cards" in peace negotiations with Russia. However, Russia is not sitting idly by. This week, Russia's counterattack has put Ukraine's position in Kursk under great pressure.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the recapture of three important villages in Kursk, namely Viktorovka, Nikolayevka, and Staraya Sorochina.

According to Ukrainian military digital activists named DeepState, Russian troops managed to break through the Russian defense line in Kursk near the city of Sudzha. The attack cut off the logistics supply lines of Ukrainian troops. So far, Russia has recaptured two-thirds of its territory in Kursk that was previously controlled by Ukrainian troops. However, Ukraine denied the statement.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that fierce fighting is still going on in Kursk. The exchange of artillery with artillery and bombing using drones is still ongoing. It is known that several Russian military units are also attacking the Sumy region, Ukraine, which borders directly with Kursk.

Ukraine's Countering Disinformation Center on Saturday denied reports of a major Russian breakthrough on the border, saying Ukrainian forces had destroyed a small Russian military group that attempted to break through.

Peace talks to end the war appear far from over. Ukraine and Russia are both demanding conflicting things. President Trump has made ending the violence in Ukraine a top priority for his administration since taking office on January 20, 2025.

But his move toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, while criticizing Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, has worried Ukraine and its Western European allies. They worry that Trump will force Ukraine to accept peace terms that benefit Russia.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday that the US wants to discuss an initial ceasefire with Russia and prepare a framework for a long-term agreement. In line with US efforts, President Zelenskyy will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on Monday (10/3/2025).

Zelenskyy said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov would be in Saudi Arabia. In a speech Saturday evening in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said he was confident the meeting would yield results.

Zelenskyy also urged the West to increase sanctions on Russia after a bombing campaign in eastern and northeastern Ukraine. The Russian strikes hit Dobropillia in eastern Donetsk on Friday evening, killing 11 people and wounding 40.

“Russia is cruel every day and does not change. "Moscow wants to destroy more territory that they control and the world lets them continue fighting," said Zelenskyy.

Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin said Saturday that Russian strikes hit the city of Pokrovsk, killing one man and wounding two others.

Meanwhile, Kharkiv's military governor said four more people were killed in a drone strike east of Kharkiv on Saturday. Kherson governor Oleksandr Prokudin said a drone strike killed a 74-year-old man south of Kherson.

In the city of Dobropillia, AFP journalists witnessed burnt buildings and destroyed markets, as a result of the use of cluster bombs, which are prohibited by international law.

Irina Kostenko (59), a local resident, hid overnight with her husband when the attack occurred. She witnessed her neighbor in the apartment being killed and his body covered with a blanket.

“It was very scary. I am lost for words,” Kostenko said.

EU Foreign Policy Director Kaja Kalla responded to Russia's attack on Saturday with a post on her X account, writing: "Once again Putin has shown no interest in achieving peace."

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a post on X called the attack “To satisfy a barbaric leader. More bombs, more aggression and more victims.”

Meanwhile, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu told La Tribune daily on Saturday that France would use 195 million euros of frozen Russian assets for military aid to Ukraine.

The funds will be used to purchase weapons for the Mirage 2000 fighter jets that France handed over to Ukraine in February 2025.

(AFP)