Zelensky: Ukraine Has No Intentions to Claim Russia’s Kursk Region, Operation Was Preventive

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine’s operation in Russia’s Kursk region was a preventive measure, not an attempt to claim Russian territory. He explained that the goal was to stop Russian forces from advancing into northern Ukraine and to protect Ukrainian cities.

In an interview with Italian TV channel RaiNews24 on January 10, 2025, Zelensky stated that the operation in the Kursk region was a tactical success for Ukraine, but emphasized that Ukraine had no intention of occupying Russian land. “We do not need their territory, we do not need their land, we do not need their people,” he said. “We simply want to live peacefully in our own home without war.” Zelensky’s remarks clarify the intentions behind Ukraine’s military actions and highlight its focus on self-defense.

The president added that Russia’s actions in the region were part of a larger strategy to occupy northern Ukraine, particularly targeting the cities of Sumy and Kharkiv. “Sumy is a large city, and Kharkiv is a large city. Today, Kharkiv has over a million residents,” Zelensky explained. He noted that if Russia had succeeded in occupying these areas, it would have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. The operation, therefore, was seen as a proactive step to counter this potential threat.

Zelensky also mentioned that there are currently 60,000 Russian soldiers stationed in the Kursk region, many of whom were redeployed from the Kharkiv area. The Ukrainian president pointed out that these forces were preparing for an occupation of northern Ukraine, which prompted the necessary military response.

Zelensky stressed that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin must face significant consequences for his actions and that no concessions should be made in the war. “He must feel pain and pay a high price,” Zelensky asserted. He further explained that if Ukraine were to sit down and negotiate with Russia today, it would only embolden Putin, leading to future attempts to invade Ukraine. “If we simply sit down at the negotiating table today and give territories to Putin, he will just rub his hands and say: ‘Okay, let’s prepare. We need one or two years, and then we’ll launch a new wave,’” Zelensky warned.

Zelensky believes that Ukraine’s counteroffensive operation in the Kursk region represents one of the greatest victories for the country since the beginning of the full-scale war. The operation has been seen as a successful deterrent against Russia’s ambitions in northern Ukraine.