Ukraine conflict on March 1, 193: Conflicting reports on Kupiansk, Russia warns the US

Kyiv [Ukraine], December 18: Ukraine and Russia stand in standoff at Kupiansk.
Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on December 17 that forces had taken control of nearly 90% of the northeastern city of Kupiansk , days after President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the victory there, according to Reuters.
"Thanks to intensive search and attack operations, we have pushed the Russians out of Kupiansk and gained control of nearly 90% of the city's territory," Syrskyi wrote on Telegram. On December 12, Zelensky, wearing a bulletproof vest, posed for a photo in front of a sign at the entrance to Kupiansk.On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued a contradictory statement, saying that artillery units of the Western Combat Group had prevented Ukrainian armed forces from approaching the city, according to TASS. The day before, Leonid Sharov, spokesman for the combat group, had declared that the entire Kupiansk district was under the control of Russian troops.
Kupiansk is considered a strategic and symbolic stepping stone toward Kharkiv, the capital of the province of the same name. Kupiansk is located 104 km east of Kharkiv. Russia controlled the area at the beginning of the conflict, but Ukraine recaptured it in September 2022, according to The Kyiv Independent .
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov also said that Ukrainian forces are trying to retake Kupiansk but have not yet succeeded.
Also on December 17, Mr. Syrskyi said Ukraine had recaptured more than 16 square kilometers in the northern part of the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk province. In addition, Ukraine also controlled an additional 56 square kilometers near the settlements of Hryshyne, Kotlyne, and Udachne west of Pokrovsk. However, Mr. Syrskyi acknowledged that the situation on the front lines remained difficult as Russia had concentrated up to 710,000 troops for the offensive. The information on the fighting provided by both sides could not be verified.
On December 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that he would achieve all his goals in Ukraine, whether through diplomatic or military means. He said Russia "prioritizes... resolving the root causes of the conflict through diplomacy," but also said it was ready to use military means if Ukraine and its allies "refuse substantive discussions."
On December 17, Russia was accused of attacking the city of Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine with guided bombs, injuring at least 26 people. According to The Kyiv Independent , the attack took place at midday, destroying two high-rise apartment buildings and other facilities. Russia has not commented on the information but has long claimed not to attack civilian targets.
Rumors surface that the US is threatening sanctions; the Kremlin issues a warning.
Bloomberg reported on December 17th that the US is preparing new sanctions on Russia's energy sector if it rejects a peace agreement with Ukraine. Accordingly, the US is considering sanctions on oil tankers supplying Russia and those supporting the trade.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the matter with European ambassadors this week, and the measure could be implemented as early as this week. The US has not commented on the information.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had not read the Bloomberg report but warned that any sanctions would harm efforts to mend US-Russia relations, according to TASS.President Putin welcomed the new progress in dialogue with the US administration. He emphasized that Russia remains committed to cooperation with European countries and the formation of a unified security system across the Eurasian continent, but that most European countries, unlike the US, are not interested in negotiations.
Putin argued that Europeans are being poisoned by the fear of war with Russia and accused the continent's leaders of inciting panic. The Kremlin leader asserted that Russia does not want war with Europe but is ready to confront it if that is Europe's choice.Regarding the peace negotiations , spokesman Peskov said that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is not expected to arrive in Moscow this week. The US and Ukrainian delegations have just concluded a new round of talks in Germany on the peace plan. Peskov said Russia is awaiting information from the US on the outcome of the negotiations.
Regarding reports that a European-led military force would be formed to support Ukraine in the west of the country, Peskov declined to comment specifically. "Our position on the presence of foreign military units on Ukrainian territory is well-known. It is known, absolutely consistent, and understandable. But let me reiterate that this will be discussed," Peskov stated.
Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Western forces deployed in Ukraine after the ceasefire could respond to future Russian attacks. "We will ensure a demilitarized zone between the warring parties and, more specifically, we will respond to violations and corresponding attacks by Russia," Merz said in a television interview on December 16.
Source: Thanh Nien