Russia is preparing a counteroffensive in the Kursk region; Moscow might begin negotiations after liberating the occupied area.

The Russian military has gathered 50,000 troops, including North Korean soldiers, to retake the territories captured by Ukraine in the Kursk region. Russia has accumulated forces without needing to withdraw its troops from eastern Ukraine, allowing Moscow to exert pressure on several fronts simultaneously.

According to military analysts, Ukrainian forces will be difficult to dislodge, and Russian and North Korean troops are likely to suffer significant losses. However, if Russia gains momentum, it may not stop at its border but try to push Ukrainian forces even further back. The DPRK will likely order its troops to halt at the border while the Russians advance deeper into Ukraine.

In the meantime, the Kremlin has declared that it is ready for peace talks with Ukraine, at least discussion on the freezing of hostilities, but only after Ukraine’s military leaves the Kursk region. According to Russia’s plan, this is take place before Trump’s inauguration. Then, Putin might offer to end the conflict.

According to AP, Trump plans to bring Ukraine and the Russian Federation to the negotiating table as soon as he takes office as the US president.