U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to spare Ukrainian troops reportedly surrounded in Russia’s Kursk region, as talks on a U.S.-proposed ceasefire gain traction.
Following a meeting in Moscow between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin, Trump described the discussion as “very good and productive” in a post on Truth Social. He expressed optimism that the war could come to an end, emphasizing the urgency of sparing Ukrainian forces.
“There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end,” Trump said, adding that thousands of Ukrainian troops in Kursk were in a “very bad and vulnerable position.” He urged Putin to prevent what he called “a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II.”
Putin responded that Ukrainian forces would be treated according to international law if they surrendered. "If they lay down their arms, they will be guaranteed life and decent treatment in accordance with international law and the laws of the Russian Federation," he stated.
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and deputy chairman of its Security Council, issued a stronger warning, saying Ukrainian troops who refused to surrender would be “methodically and mercilessly destroyed.”
However, Ukraine’s military dismissed reports of encirclement as Russian misinformation, stating that its forces had “withdrawn to more advantageous defensive positions.”
The conflict in Kursk escalated in August when Ukrainian forces pushed into Russian territory, aiming to gain leverage in potential negotiations. Now, as Russia attempts to reclaim the region, the U.S. is pressing Moscow to agree to a broader ceasefire.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, attending a G7 meeting in Canada, confirmed that discussions on Ukraine would continue over the weekend, expressing cautious optimism about the prospect of peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed optimism about a ceasefire but warned that Putin might stall negotiations with unrealistic demands. Speaking on Friday,