The Ukrainian army's likely withdrawal from Russia's Kursk region would have a limited impact on Ukraine's defense but could increase Russia's willingness to negotiate a ceasefire while intensifying U.S. pressure on Ukraine to make concessions, including on elections. On March 12, Russian forces advanced into the center of Sudzha, the largest town captured by Ukrainian troops during their incursion into Russia's Kursk region in August 2024, as Ukrainian forces withdrew with minimal losses. Later that day, President Vladimir Putin visited Kursk to receive a report from General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov regarding Russia's efforts in the region, at which Putin ordered Gerasimov to expel the remaining Ukrainian forces as soon as possible in order to prevent their presence in the region from being a bargaining chip in negotiations. He also asked Gerasimov to consider creating buffer zones across the border in Ukraine's Sumy region. Russia's biggest breakthroughs occurred on March...
