Ukraine ready for ceasefire, 'but not on land': Official
3 Min Read
Ukraine has firmly rejected the prospect of a land ceasefire, claiming it would allow Russian Armed Forces to regroup and resume the war.
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In this image from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry on November 7, 2024, Russian Army soldiers fight with Ukrainian Armed forces in the Sudzhansky district of the Kursk region of Russia. (AP)
Ukraine rejected a land ceasefire, claiming it would allow Russian ground forces to "regroup and resume hostilities later", the advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President's Office stated on Monday.
Serhiy Leshchenko said that Ukraine is not averse to a ceasefire, however, any potential agreement must not provide Russia with any advantage.
He also seemingly responded to US President Donald Trump's questions regarding Kiev's plan to end the conflict, saying Ukraine proposed several potential deals and initiatives that include ceasing air and sea operations, as well as attacks on energy facilities.
However, he stressed that Ukraine refuses a land ceasefire to prevent Russia's forces from regrouping and resuming their ground operations at a later date.
"You want a ceasefire—we are ready. But not on land, where Putin can take a few months to heal the wounded, recruit infantry from North Korea, and restart this war," he said.
Leshchenko also emphasized that drone strikes account for 70% of Ukraine’s military losses.
He stressed the importance of US support but cautioned that it should not come with terms that undermine Ukraine’s position in ending the conflict.
US intelligence sharing suspension hampers Ukraine Kursk operations
In this context, it is worth noting that the suspension of US intelligence sharing with Ukraine has created significant challenges for Ukrainian forces operating in Russia’s Kursk Region, The New York Times reported on Monday, citing Ukrainian soldiers.
The United States has temporarily suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine following a notable rift between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed on Wednesday.
The decision comes after a public disagreement between the two leaders during a meeting in the Oval Office last week, which also led to the suspension of critical US military aid to Ukraine.
A senior US military official, speaking to The New York Times on condition of anonymity, stated that the pause had made it more difficult for Ukrainian forces to detect and attack Russian positions in the Kursk Region, as well as limiting their ability to strike high-value targets.
The newspaper reported that Russian forces are advancing rapidly in the region, while Ukrainian officials are reportedly hoping to use the attack on Kursk as leverage in negotiations to end the conflict.
Read more: Russian MoD reports heavy Ukrainian losses in Kursk offensive
