Ukraine’s continued focus on Kursk shows how important Kyiv believes it is to hold on to Russian land, especially if Trump pushes both sides to the negotiating table.

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he can "understand the Russians' feelings" about Joe Biden allegedly breaking a "deal" to deny Ukraine NATO membership. Source: Trump at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on 7 January,

President-elect Trump said late Thursday that a meeting is in the works with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. Why it matters: Trump said on the campaign trail that he would swiftly end the nearly three-year-old war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office.

President-elect Donald Trump promises to bring peace to Ukraine shortly after he takes office on Jan. 20. Many speculate that he will pressure President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s leader, to accept ceasefire terms heavily favorable to Russia.

Donald Trump has said that a meeting is being set up between him and Vladimir Putin to end the “bloody mess” of the war in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin is facing mounting anger from Russia's elite as the war in Ukraine drags on and the country's economy continues to suffer under the weight of Western sanctions