Ukraine's success in Kursk may give it advantage in possible peace talks - US Senator

RIGA - Ukraine's success in Russia's Kursk region may give it an advantage in possible peace talks with Moscow and their outcome, US Senator Mark Kelly said Friday following a meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity).

Kelly, who represents the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said that the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region surprised the US and has been, in his view, a success so far. He also pointed out that Ukraine's success also highlights weaknesses in the Russian system which the Ukrainians can exploit. ''Ukraine has done that successfully and I hope they will continue to do that,'' Kelly said.

Asked if the US might give Ukraine permission to use long-range weapons in attacks on military sites in Russian territory, Kelly indicated that the US has been providing significant assistance to Ukraine. There is also strong support for Ukraine in the US Congress, and the US will continue to help Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. However, the question is how the Ukrainians use this assistance. This, according to Kelly, has been a subject of broad discussions over the past couple of years. 

The ongoing incursion into Russia has shaken Putin. And this is good. It has disrupted his plans significantly and I have to give the Ukrainians a lot of credit for doing something unexpected. I think it is important to continue to adjust our strategy and let the Ukrainians adjust theirs, said the US Senator.

Kelly noted that some of the weapons the US has provided to Ukraine have considerable range and power. ''Over the last two and a half years, we have tried to balance Ukraine's ability to defend itself and to deal with the risk of escalation. We do not want this conflict to escalate to other NATO countries and we are trying to avoid the US getting into a direct confrontation with Russia, which would only escalate the situation," Kelly said, adding that discussions on this issue will continue in the US.

As reported, Prime Minister Silina on Friday met with a delegation of US Senators led by Senator Kelly. The meeting focused on Latvian-US cooperation on security and defense, support to Ukraine and the fight against Russian aggression.