Ukraine prepares for possible talks with Russia Sources close to President Zelenskyy

Ukrainian officials are working to create conditions for possible negotiations with Russia this fall.

Ukraine aims to initiate dialogue with Russia focusing on key issues such as a prisoner exchange under the "all for all" formula, as well as discussions on food and nuclear security, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

It is important to note, however, that Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials have repeatedly stated that Russia has no plans to enter negotiations with Ukraine following recent Ukrainian attacks in the Kursk region.

On August 17, The Washington Post reported that the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region likely disrupted planned secret talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Qatar, scheduled for August, regarding a partial ceasefire. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed these claims, labeling them as rumours.

Ukraine launched its surprise offensive on August 6 with a major cross-border raid into Kursk. Russia appears to be struggling to contain the incursion and has announced emergency measures and evacuated tens of thousands.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his forces were continuing to advance in Kursk and that he has ordered his generals to develop the next “key steps” in the operation. Kyiv now claims it controls at least 1,000sq km (386sq miles) of Russia.

Nearly 200,000 people have been forced to evacuate from border regions. On August 14, the governor of the Belgorod region declared a state of emergency, blaming the relentless bombardment by Ukraine.

Russia, which has deployed reinforcements to the region, said it had halted the Ukrainian advance and that attacks had been repelled at villages about 26 to 28km (16 to 17 miles) from the border.