Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Ukrainian troops in Kursk to surrender as Moscow intensifies efforts to reclaim lost territory, while Kyiv warns the Kremlin is leveraging the battle to gain an upper hand in ceasefire negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Putin to spare Ukrainian soldiers, stating that his envoy had engaged in “productive” discussions with the Russian leader regarding a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
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Over the past week, Russia has launched a swift counteroffensive in Kursk, reclaiming much of the territory Ukraine seized during a surprise attack last August.
A defeat in Kursk would be a significant setback for Ukraine, which had hoped to use its control of the region as leverage in peace negotiations for the ongoing war.
“We appreciate President Trump’s request,” Putin said in a televised statement. “If Ukrainian troops lay down their arms and surrender, their lives and dignity will be safeguarded.”
Trump described the situation as dire, claiming “thousands” of Ukrainian soldiers were “completely surrounded” and in a vulnerable position.
‘Horrific Massacre’
“I have strongly urged President Putin to spare their lives. This could be a massacre unlike anything seen since World War II,” Trump stated.
Ukraine’s military dismissed these claims, asserting that their forces were not at risk of encirclement. “There is no threat to our units,” the General Staff posted on social media.
However, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the challenges in Kursk. “The situation is extremely difficult,” he admitted, while emphasizing that the campaign had strategic importance. He noted that Russia had been forced to redeploy troops from other areas, alleviating pressure on Ukrainian forces defending the critical logistics hub of Pokrovsk.
Trump’s remarks came after his envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin on Thursday to discuss the proposed ceasefire.
“We had a productive discussion with President Putin, and there is a strong possibility this devastating war may finally end,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Ukraine Losing Ground
Putin stated that developments in Kursk would play a crucial role in determining Russia’s next steps regarding a ceasefire.
Zelensky accused Putin of deliberately undermining diplomatic efforts. “He is setting impossible conditions even before negotiations begin, aiming to derail diplomacy,” he said on X.
The Kremlin expressed “cautious optimism” about a potential deal but stressed that direct communication between Trump and Putin was necessary for further progress.
U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz echoed this sentiment, saying in a Fox News interview that there was “some cautious optimism” following Witkoff’s visit.
At a G7 meeting in Canada, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that both sides would need to make concessions.
G7 foreign ministers warned Russia of new sanctions unless it agreed to a ceasefire “on equal terms.” Potential measures include oil price caps, increased support for Ukraine, and additional economic restrictions.
France and Germany accused Russia of obstructing peace efforts, while European leaders planned to discuss further aid for Ukraine in a virtual meeting with Zelensky.
Diplomatic sources revealed that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas would propose a €40 billion ($43 billion) military aid package for Ukraine.
Ukraine had hoped to use its control of Kursk as a negotiation tool, potentially offering a land swap with Russia, which has occupied Crimea since 2014 and continues to hold vast Ukrainian territories since its full-scale invasion in 2022.
