Russia planning offensive for edge in truce deal: Kyiv

Russian forces are preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in the coming weeks to maximise the pressure on Ukraine and strengthen the Kremlin’s negotiating position in ceasefire talks, Ukrainian government and military analysts said.

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The move could give Russian President Vladimir Putin every reason to delay discussions about pausing the fighting in favour of seeking more land, the Ukrainian officials said, renewing their country’s repeated arguments that Russia has no intention of engaging in meaningful dialogue.

With the spring fighting season drawing near, the Kremlin is eyeing a multi-pronged push across the 1,000-km front line, according to the analysts and military commanders.

Citing intelligence reports, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Russia was getting ready for new offensives in the northeast Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizizhia regions.

“They’re dragging out the talks and trying to get the US stuck in endless and pointless discussions about fake conditions just to buy time and then try to grab more land,” Zelenskyy said on Thursday in a visit to Paris.