Speaking to Ukrainian state television, Mr Podolyak said that "mere appeals to Russia will not work, only a series of coercive measures will work", referring to both economic and diplomatic pressure.

One of the methods of coercion is action on the battlefield, he said, referring to Ukraine's recent unprecedented border incursion into Russia's Kursk region.

Through its actions in the Russian border region, Ukraine is solving an important problem related to its own security by destroying the enemy's military infrastructure, Mr. Podolyak said.

A week after the offensive began, Ukraine said it had taken control of 74 Russian settlements and continued to advance.

Earlier on August 7, Mr. Podolyak said that any possible Ukrainian activity in Russia's border regions would impact Russian society and improve Kiev's position in future peace negotiations with Moscow.

Echoing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr Podolyak stressed that Ukraine must enter any talks with Russia from a stronger position. Ukraine has said it wants to invite a Russian representative to the upcoming second peace conference, although the Kremlin remains skeptical about attending.

After the first peace conference in June, Ukraine plans to hold a second peace conference with Russia's participation before the US presidential election in November 2024.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, Kyiv Independent)