**Russia’s Claims in Kursk Meet Resistance from Ukraine and the West**
In a significant development, Russia has announced that it has fully recaptured the Ukrainian region of Kursk Oblast. However, this claim is being disputed by Ukraine and its allies. The situation on the ground appears to be far from resolved.
According to monitoring service DeepState, Ukrainian forces are still operating in the area, despite Moscow’s claims to the contrary. In a report released on April 26, DeepState stated that Russian forces have advanced in Kursk, with the village of Gornal being almost completely occupied by Russian troops. However, Ukrainian forces remain in control of limited positions near Oleshnya.
The Kremlin’s announcement has been met with skepticism not only from Ukraine but also from the West. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has proposed bipartisan legislation that would impose secondary tariffs on any country purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, or other products.
**Diplomatic Efforts to End the War**
As tensions continue to escalate in Kursk, diplomatic efforts are underway to bring an end to the war. President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Vatican State Secretary Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral on April 26. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed support for a just and lasting peace.
In a separate development, U.S. President Donald Trump promised to “do everything” to maintain peace negotiations during a conversation with Estonian President Alar Karis following Pope Francis’s funeral.
**Russia’s Escalation in Kursk**
Russia’s announcement on April 26 marked the first time Moscow has acknowledged the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine. Kyiv and Seoul have previously stated that around 11,000 North Korean troops have been dispatched to fight alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast.
This development represents a significant escalation in Russia’s war against Ukraine and is likely to be met with strong opposition from the international community.
**Sanctions and Support**
As tensions continue to rise, sanctions are being imposed on Russia. The United States considers Russia’s demand for an “unreasonable and unachievable” condition as part of a peace agreement to be unacceptable.
McDonald’s has also stated that it does not plan to re-enter the Russian market but wants to prevent third-party businesses from taking advantage of the brand.
The situation in Kursk remains fluid, with Ukrainian forces continuing to engage in combat with Russian and North Korean personnel. The international community is watching closely as diplomatic efforts continue to bring an end to the war.
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