Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region to surrender, as discussions continue regarding a potential ceasefire mediated by the United States.
During a meeting with Russia’s security council on Friday, Putin accused Ukrainian troops in the area of committing offenses against civilians. He also recognized US President Donald Trump’s desire to protect the lives of the soldiers, asserting that the lives of those who surrender would be assured as Russian forces regain control of the territory.
Putin mentioned that Russia is making efforts to mend its relations with the US, which he claimed had been “practically reduced to zero” due to the previous American administration.
“Overall, the situation is beginning to evolve,” he stated regarding relations with the Trump administration. “Let’s see what develops from this.”
As Kyiv appears to be losing its hold on Kursk, its only territorial leverage, many speculate that Putin may be postponing discussions on a US-Ukraine ceasefire until the region is fully under Russian control. Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials agreed to a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire along the entire front line following talks with US representatives in Saudi Arabia.
Putin’s comments followed his meeting with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Thursday, a visit that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as providing “reason to be cautiously optimistic.” Trump echoed this sentiment earlier in the day, referring to the discussions as “good and productive” in a post on Truth Social, and expressing hope that “there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.”
Trump stated that he has “strongly requested” Putin to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk.
“We interpret President Trump’s appeal as being motivated by humanitarian concerns for these servicemen,” Putin remarked on Friday. “In this context, I want to stress that if they surrender and lay down their arms, they will be assured of their lives and treated humanely in accordance with international law and the laws of the Russian Federation.”
However, he noted that Ukraine’s military must first instruct its troops in Kursk to surrender.
In February, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine expressed alarm over reports indicating that numerous Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered to Russia since late August 2024 were “shot dead on the spot.”
“All claims of executions of captured Ukrainian military personnel, as well as public statements that call for or condone such actions, must be thoroughly investigated,” stated Danielle Bell, the head of the mission, at that time.
“Every day of war results in loss of life.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed doubt regarding Putin’s intentions and called on the US to take “strong measures” to compel Russia to cease its aggression against Kyiv.
In a series of posts on X, the Ukrainian president expressed his nation’s desire for peace, stating, “From the very first moments of this war, our only wish has been for Russia to allow our people to live in peace and for the Russian occupiers to withdraw from our territory.”
He emphasized, “Each day of conflict results in the loss of our people’s lives – the most precious asset we possess.”
Zelensky further accused Putin of trying to undermine peace talks and misrepresenting the “true situation” on the battlefield. On Thursday, the Russian president proposed several conditions for a ceasefire, insisting that any agreement must address what the Kremlin considers the “root causes” of the conflict.
Russia initially invaded Ukraine in 2014 and escalated to a full-scale invasion in 2022. At that time, Putin insisted that Ukraine should never join NATO and demanded a reduction of NATO’s military presence in Eastern and Central Europe, which the US and its allies rejected as unacceptable, condemning the invasion as a blatant act of aggression.
“Putin cannot withdraw from this war without losing everything,” Zelensky remarked. “That is why he is taking every possible measure to obstruct diplomatic efforts by imposing extremely challenging and unacceptable conditions even before a ceasefire can be discussed.”
Zelensky urged nations capable of influencing Russia, particularly the US, to take action to help bring an end to the conflict.
“Pressure must be directed at those unwilling to cease hostilities. We must focus on Russia. Only through decisive measures can we conclude this war, which has already persisted for years,” he stated.
The Ukrainian president is anticipated to participate in a virtual meeting with European and NATO leaders regarding support for Ukraine on Saturday, organized by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
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