Kursk:Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that efforts to establish a 'security zone' along Russia's border with Ukraine will not be open for discussion in any peace talks with Kyiv.

According to Anadolu Agency, during a visit to a command post where he addressed military commanders, Putin emphasized the importance of securing Russia's border regions. He highlighted that the Russian military's objectives include not only repelling Ukrainian forces but also establishing a 'security zone' following the August 2024 incursion into the Kursk region by Ukrainian forces.

Putin affirmed that ensuring the absolute security of Russia's border territories is a priority and not a subject for potential peace negotiations with Ukraine. He praised the Russian military's accomplishments, particularly the effectiveness of strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities and logistics centers. He insisted on the necessity of continuing 'massive, coordinated' strikes in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian industrial and energy facilities.

While a ceasefire on energy infrastructure was announced by US President Donald Trump, both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating this truce. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to resume strikes after a temporary halt. Meanwhile, Russia maintains ongoing communications with the US regarding the truce.

Earlier, Putin had ordered the creation of a 'security buffer zone' along the border, following the recapture of Kursk from Ukrainian forces. He claimed significant territorial gains in Ukraine, including the capture of approximately 6,500 square kilometers and 310 settlements since the year's start. Putin identified the Donbas region as a strategic objective, noting that parts of the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions remain under Ukrainian control.

In a separate briefing, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported on Moscow's 'massive' strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and other critical facilities, which have disrupted operations at major Black Sea ports and halted steel production in Ukraine. Gerasimov claimed that Russian forces have seized additional territory and infrastructure in recent months, impacting Ukraine's military capabilities.

Gerasimov also detailed ongoing military activity, including the approach of Russian troops to Kramatorsk and continued fighting in its vicinity, as well as advancements in the Zaporizhzhia region. He reported the encirclement and destruction of 2,000 Ukrainian troops in the Kharkiv region's northeast. However, Ukrainian authorities have not commented on these claims, and independent verification remains challenging due to the conflict.