Zelensky named Putin's main goal before Trump's inauguration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Vladimir Putin has set a goal for his military command to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region by January 20.

This was stated during his speech at the Grain from Ukraine food security conference last Saturday, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.

'For Putin, the most important thing is to push us out of the Kursk region. All these stories, all these strikes with new missiles - it's not just like that. He has set this task. I am convinced that he wants to push us out by January 20. He wants to demonstrate that he controls the situation, but in reality, he does not control,' Zelensky emphasized.

According to the president, 'the Kursk operation is not a game.' It has already shown that Russia cannot adequately defend its territory. However, the most difficult situation is expected in Donetsk.

'Putin wants to show that he has kept his promises by occupying all of Donbas. He also wants to push us out of the Kursk direction. He has these two tasks,' he added.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukrainian forces are bravely defending their state and inflicting significant losses on the enemy.

'In the Kursk direction, we intercepted a conversation where Putin personally addresses the command with requests. He states that 'the fate of the SVO depends on the Kursk operation.' This again confirms that Russia is simply intimidating, but its strength is exaggerated,' Zelensky noted.