The positions held by Ukraine’s forces in Russia’s Kursk region will play a critical role in future negotiations to end the war, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday during a visit to Seoul.

As Ukrainian forces mount a new offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said that success in this region would improve Kyiv’s bargaining position in any future ceasefire negotiations.

Russia has intensified its offensive against Ukraine by launching a series of missile and drone attacks targeting critical energy infrastructure across the country. These strikes have led to widespread power outages,