The Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast has created a real dilemma for Putin, US President Joe Biden said. In Kursk Oblast, 74 towns are under Ukrainian control, but as Lithuania's defence minister warns, soldiers from Kaliningrad are being sent to defend the oblast.
“I talk to my aides about this on a regular basis, probably every four or five hours for the last six or eight days. This creates a real dilemma for Putin. We are in direct contact, constant contact with the Ukrainians,” the US president said. Joe Bidenanswering journalists' questions about the Ukrainian offensive.
This was the first comment by the US president on the matter. Administration officials had previously been reserved about the situation, limiting themselves to saying that the decision on Ukrainian military operations was up to them. Ukraineand the USA was not warned about the operation in the Kursk Oblast.
On Tuesday, during a briefing on Air Force One, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said United States are not involved in Ukraine's offensive inside Russia.
Zelensky: Ukraine controls 74 localities in Kursk region
– In Kursk region, 74 localities are under Ukrainian control, inspections and stabilization activities are being carried out there, and work on humanitarian solutions for these territories is continuing – the President of Ukraine said on Tuesday Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Constant contact with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky: reports from the front and our operation in Kursk region. Despite difficult, intensive fighting, the advance of our forces in the Kursk region continues,” Zelensky wrote in Telegram. The leader of the state noted that “preparations for our next steps are underway.”
– I also wanted to ask you not to forget and continue training and developing the next important key steps, – he said during a conversation with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky via video link. – All measures are being implemented according to plan, – Syrsky replied to the president.
Russia moves troops from Kaliningrad to Kursk region
Russia is moving troops from Kaliningrad to Kursk Oblast, which has been under attack by the Ukrainian army for several days, said Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas, who is in Kiev and met with the Ukrainian president. During the meeting, the current needs of the Ukrainian army and the development of the arms industry were discussed, according to a recording published on Zelensky's Telegram profile.
Main image source: ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA/PAP/EPA