The Kremlin is skeptical of the talks between Russia and Ukraine "because they have lost their meaning," Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
Peskov's statement comes amid Ukraine's ongoing offensive in Russia's Kursk region, which began in early August. As of August 20, the Ukrainian military said it controlled 1,263 sq km and 93 settlements, including the town of Suja.
On August 17, the Washington Post reported that the attack disrupted plans for secret indirect talks between Russia and Ukraine, facilitated by Qatar. According to the publication, the countries planned to discuss ending Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, as well as Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, denied there were any indirect talks between the countries.
"You know that the topic of negotiations has already lost a large part of its relevance. There are many reports in the media about various contacts, and not all of them are true," said Peskov.
Kiev said that rather than seizing Russian territory, the incursion was aimed at protecting Ukrainian lives by preventing cross-border attacks and diverting Russian reinforcements.
Kursk Oblast borders Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast, an area subject to daily Russian attacks.
Russia also continues to shell border municipalities in Ukraine's Sumy region, including the villages of Porozok and Pozhnya. Ukrainian authorities plan to evacuate a total of 45,000 residents from the region. | BGNES
