Putin claims Ukraine seeks to improve position in future negotiations with Kursk incursion

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - RELEASED ON AUGUST 12 ----EDITORIAL USE ONLY – MANDATORY CREDIT - ‘KREMLIN PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS, DO NOT OBSCURE LOGO----): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday claimed that Ukraine seeks to improve its position in future negotiations with its incursion in the border region of Kursk since last week.
 “Apparently, the enemy, with the help of its Western masters, is fulfilling their will, and the West is fighting with us with the hands of Ukrainians. So, apparently, the enemy is striving to improve its negotiating positions in the future,” Putin said during a Russian Security Council meeting.
 “But what kind of negotiations can we talk about with people who indiscriminately strike at civilians, at civilian infrastructure, or try to create threats to nuclear power facilities? What can we even talk about with them?” he further said.
 Putin said that the goal of Kyiv’s incursion is to also stop Moscow’s advance in eastern Ukraine, adding that the main task of the Russian forces is to drive out Ukrainian troops from its territory. According to him, Russia’s offensive in the eastern part of Ukraine has increased by “one and a half times,” and the country’s military is advancing along the entire front line.
 He went on to claim that another goal of Ukraine’s incursion is to “sow discord,” as well as to “intimidate people” and to “destroy the unity and cohesion of Russian society.” “The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are increasing dramatically, including among the most combat-ready units and divisions that the enemy is transferring to our border,” Putin added. (Footage by Kremlin Press Office/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)