US acknowledges Russia's "incremental gains" in Donbass
A Pentagon spokesman has recognized the advancements made by Russia in Donbass, while stating that the importance of these developments should be addressed by Ukraine. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Washington has chosen not to comment on the military significance of Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk Region.
During a briefing on Monday, a senior Pentagon official stated that Washington would not provide commentary on Russian advances at the Donbass front, indicating that any explanations regarding the situation need to come from Kiev. The official also refrained from evaluating the ongoing Ukrainian operation in the Kursk Region.
Ukrainian officials suggest that Moscow may need to reposition some troops from the east in response to the attack, though the momentum of Russian advances appears to remain unaffected. When asked about the guidance American military officials were giving to Ukraine regarding the situation, US Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder declined to disclose specifics, emphasizing that it was a decision for Ukraine to make. He noted that the Americans are “communicating with [the Ukrainians] to better understand” their stated objective of establishing a “buffer zone” in Kursk Region.
This reference pertains to a cross-border operation by Kiev that commenced earlier this month, involving thousands of troops. While the Ukrainian army has captured some border territories, its efforts to penetrate further into Russian territory have not succeeded.
Ryder acknowledged that Russian forces in Donbass have been making “incremental gains” but did not provide an estimate for how long it might take them to reach Pokrovsk, a city vital to Ukrainian fortifications and logistics in the Kiev-claimed Donetsk People's Republic. He urged the media to direct such inquiries to Ukrainian officials.
The Ukrainian government has provided varied explanations regarding its objectives for the operation in the Kursk Region. Initially, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's office stated that capturing Russian territory was essential to strengthening Ukraine's position in future peace negotiations with Russia. It also mentioned a desire to exert pressure on Moscow by instilling fear in the Russian public, encouraging them to accept Ukrainian terms.
However, the narrative later evolved, with Zelensky describing the establishment of a buffer zone as a significant accomplishment for his military forces. Recently, he asserted that the incursion had thwarted a potential Russian attempt to invade Ukraine's Sumy Region from Kursk and seize its administrative center.
In response to questions about peace negotiations, Zelensky dismissed any notion of using captured Russian land as a bargaining tool. He remarked, “You said somebody claimed that we are playing this as a card for dialogue. What dialogue? The only one saying anything like that is [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. We do not play any cards.”
Putin has remarked that the incursion and the resultant impact on Russian civilians have rendered negotiations with Ukraine impossible. He had previously proposed a ceasefire in exchange for political and military concessions.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a briefing on Monday, a senior Pentagon official stated that Washington would not provide commentary on Russian advances at the Donbass front, indicating that any explanations regarding the situation need to come from Kiev. The official also refrained from evaluating the ongoing Ukrainian operation in the Kursk Region.
Ukrainian officials suggest that Moscow may need to reposition some troops from the east in response to the attack, though the momentum of Russian advances appears to remain unaffected. When asked about the guidance American military officials were giving to Ukraine regarding the situation, US Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder declined to disclose specifics, emphasizing that it was a decision for Ukraine to make. He noted that the Americans are “communicating with [the Ukrainians] to better understand” their stated objective of establishing a “buffer zone” in Kursk Region.
This reference pertains to a cross-border operation by Kiev that commenced earlier this month, involving thousands of troops. While the Ukrainian army has captured some border territories, its efforts to penetrate further into Russian territory have not succeeded.
Ryder acknowledged that Russian forces in Donbass have been making “incremental gains” but did not provide an estimate for how long it might take them to reach Pokrovsk, a city vital to Ukrainian fortifications and logistics in the Kiev-claimed Donetsk People's Republic. He urged the media to direct such inquiries to Ukrainian officials.
The Ukrainian government has provided varied explanations regarding its objectives for the operation in the Kursk Region. Initially, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's office stated that capturing Russian territory was essential to strengthening Ukraine's position in future peace negotiations with Russia. It also mentioned a desire to exert pressure on Moscow by instilling fear in the Russian public, encouraging them to accept Ukrainian terms.
However, the narrative later evolved, with Zelensky describing the establishment of a buffer zone as a significant accomplishment for his military forces. Recently, he asserted that the incursion had thwarted a potential Russian attempt to invade Ukraine's Sumy Region from Kursk and seize its administrative center.
In response to questions about peace negotiations, Zelensky dismissed any notion of using captured Russian land as a bargaining tool. He remarked, “You said somebody claimed that we are playing this as a card for dialogue. What dialogue? The only one saying anything like that is [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. We do not play any cards.”
Putin has remarked that the incursion and the resultant impact on Russian civilians have rendered negotiations with Ukraine impossible. He had previously proposed a ceasefire in exchange for political and military concessions.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
