The diplomatic agency notes that Russian sources picked up an incorrect quote from Minister Sybiha in an incorrect context. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Sunday, March 16, writes UNN.
Details
It is noted that Russian media write that the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine allegedly threatened to continue the operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region in an interview with the Japanese TV channel NHK. However, the Russians took the phrase out of context and in fact this is not the case.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, in an interview with Japanese TV channel NHK, threatened to continue military operations in the Kursk region, despite US President Donald Trump's request to Russian leader Vladimir Putin to pardon Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers who were surrounded there.
And in this context, they cite the following quote from Sybiha, distorting and misrepresenting it with an incorrect context: "as Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi has already stated, we are continuing operations in the Kursk region and will continue them in the future."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs literally deciphered an excerpt from the interview. In fact, Sybiha's dialogue with Japanese journalists was as follows:
Regarding the Kursk region... how do you see the current situation there?
We have official comments from our commanders-in-chief, for example, General Syrskyi. We are still conducting, continuing to conduct our military operation in the Kursk region. President Zelenskyy mentioned yesterday that basically the goals of this military operation have been achieved. But this operation is still ongoing. Our soldiers are bravely performing their mission.
There were discussions that the Kursk region, which is held by Ukraine, is a bargaining chip in negotiations. If Ukraine leaves there, will it cease to be so?
Nevertheless, this situation is an important element, an important factor in our possible negotiations. Because, after all, the operation there continues.
Is there a risk that Russia will use the withdrawal from Kursk as a condition for a ceasefire?
You see, we expect, and the world expects, that we will hear an unconditional "yes" from Russia regarding this proposal to establish a temporary ceasefire.