Russia has vehemently denied reports of indirect talks with Ukraine regarding a potential agreement to halt strikes on civilian infrastructure.
The Washington Post had reported on Saturday that Ukraine and Russia were poised to send delegations to Qatar this month to negotiate a deal that would have effectively put a temporary stop to attacks on energy and power facilities in both countries. This agreement, while not a full ceasefire, was seen as a significant step towards de-escalation.
However, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the report, stating that there have been no negotiations whatsoever regarding the protection of civilian infrastructure. She attributed the derailment of the talks to Ukraine’s attack on Russian territory in the Kursk region on August 6.
Zakharova further quoted President Vladimir Putin, who on August 12 questioned the possibility of talks with Ukraine after the cross-border attack and the alleged targeting of Russian civilian infrastructure.
The Ukrainian government has yet to respond to the Reuters request for comment on the matter.
It’s important to note that both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of targeting civilian infrastructure throughout the war. However, both sides deny any involvement in such actions.
The attack on the Kursk region was a significant escalation of the conflict, marking the first military incursion into Russian territory since World War II. It remains unclear what impact this will have on future negotiations and the overall trajectory of the war.
