The Washington Post says Russia and Ukraine were preparing to hold indirect talks on halting strikes on their energy and power infrastructure. But it says the negotiations have been derailed by Ukraine’s cross-border operation into Russia’s western Kursk region.
The Washington Post on Saturday quoted diplomatic sources as saying Ukraine and Russia were set to send delegations to the Qatari capital Doha this month to negotiate a landmark agreement halting strikes on energy and power infrastructure on both sides in what would have amounted to a partial ceasefire.
It says the indirect talks, with Qatar serving as a mediator and meeting separately with the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, were canceled at Russia’s request.
In response to questions from the Washington Post, Ukraine’s presidential office said the meeting in Doha had been postponed, but it would take place in a video conference format on August 22. It is unclear if Russia will attend.
The Ukrainian Air Force released a video on Sunday of what it says is an attack it made on a bridge in Kursk.
On Friday, Ukrainian forces released footage showing what they claim to be a bridge over the Seym River being destroyed by their attack.