President Vladimir Putin has reportedly abandoned the idea of peace talks with Kyiv following Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region, which was seen as a humiliating blow to the Russian leader. Sources close to the Kremlin reported that Putin has come to the conclusion that the destruction of Ukrainian statehood is the only option moving forward. Both sides are now considering engaging in no-rules warfare to make things harder for each other.
There were hopes earlier this summer that the war could end within six months to a year, with softening rhetoric from Kyiv and a major prisoner exchange between Russia and the West. The Russian and Ukrainian militaries were close to a de-escalation agreement that would have included mutual restrictions on striking energy facilities. Plans were in place to sign the deal in Qatar, but everything fell through after Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region.
The sources reported that Putin does not intend to trade Ukrainian-held territory in the Kursk region for Russian-occupied lands in eastern Ukraine. The Russian elite who support peace talks are now a minority, according to an official sanctioned by the West. The possibility of peace talks being revived is deemed unlikely as long as the West permits Ukraine to use Western missiles to strike deep inside Russia.
A source close to Putin mentioned that he would only risk using nuclear weapons if Russia entered an all-out war with the West. The need to maintain good relations with Moscow’s BRICS allies is currently preventing Putin from escalating tensions further. However, the source mentioned that Putin will consider using the nuclear button more seriously if his threats are not taken seriously by the West.
The Kremlin is reportedly prepared to keep fighting for a long time, with the belief that Ukraine’s forces will eventually be exhausted. The situation between Russia and Ukraine seems to be heading towards a no-rules warfare scenario, with both sides willing to make things harder for each other. The prospect of peace talks is now considered unlikely, as tensions continue to escalate between the two countries.
Overall, the situation between Russia and Ukraine has taken a turn for the worse following Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region. President Putin has seemingly given up on the idea of peace talks and is prepared to continue the conflict for an extended period if necessary. The potential use of nuclear weapons is now on the table, and the Kremlin is ready to keep fighting to achieve its goals in the region.
