After Trump’s ‘sturdy’ appeal to spare lives, Putin calls on Ukraine army to surrender in Kursk region

Just hours after US president Donald Trump appealed to Russian president Vladimir Putin to spare the lives of Ukrainian troopers surrounded in the Kursk region, Putin on Friday referred to as on Ukrainian troops to surrender. “We are sympathetic to President Trump’s call,” Putin mentioned in televised remarks.
“If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment,” Putin added, calling on Ukraine’s leaders to challenge an order to their troops to surrender.
Putin had earlier said that the state of affairs in Kursk was beneath Russian management and that Ukrainian troopers had solely two choices: surrender or die if a bodily blockade have been to happen. Putin mentioned Ukrainian troopers have been reduce off contained in the invasion zone. “And if a physical blockade occurs in the coming days, then no one will be able to leave at all, there will be only two ways – to surrender or die.”
Also learn: ‘Good likelihood battle can lastly finish’: Trump urges Putin to spare Ukrainian lives
Ukraine’s prime commander denied this week that his males have been being encircled, however mentioned they have been adopting higher defensive positions.
Putin’s name comes after Trump, in a put up on Truth Social, urged the Russian president to spare the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian troops, warning of a possible bloodbath comparable to these seen in World War II. He emphasised the dire state of affairs confronted by these troops, who he claimed have been utterly surrounded by Russian forces.
“We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end — BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!,” Trump mentioned.
Putin’s ultimatum additionally comes as Russia continues to regain management over the Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces had occupied since August 2023.
Despite Ukraine’s denial that its troops are encircled, Putin’s assertion displays Russia’s army stress on Ukrainian forces.
On Thursday, Putin had additionally expressed assist for a ceasefire however with situations that may lead to long-term peace and deal with the basis causes of the battle.

Ceasefire deal

On Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that Putin had requested US envoy Steve Witkoff to convey Moscow’s ideas on the ceasefire deal to Washington.
Putin requested Witkoff to give extra messages to Trump, Peskov advised reporters, after the Russian chief mentioned at a information convention that he supported a truce in precept however set out a number of particulars that want to be clarified earlier than it’s agreed.
Earlier in the day, Trump had mentioned the US held “very good and productive” discussions with Putin. In a put up on his Truth Social web site on Friday, Trump mentioned “that there’s a superb likelihood that this horrible, bloody battle can lastly come to an finish”.
A possible phone call between Putin and Trump to settle outstanding ceasefire issues could be arranged after Witkoff delivers the messages in Washington, Peskov said. “There is an understanding on both sides that such a call is needed,” Peskov said.
“There are certainly some grounds for cautious optimism,” Peskov said of the ceasefire proposal. “A lot still needs to be done, but the president has shown solidarity with President Trump’s position.”

Zelenskyy attacks Putin

Meanwhile, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Putin on Friday of sabotaging diplomatic efforts to secure peace in Ukraine, over the Russian leader’s response to a US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
“He is now doing the whole lot he can to sabotage diplomacy by setting extraordinarily troublesome and unacceptable situations proper from the beginning even earlier than a ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
Zelenskyy said the US could exert sufficient pressure on Russia to stop its invasion because, he said, Putin “is not going to finish the battle on his personal”.
“The power of America is sufficient to make it occur. Strong steps are wanted. Strong stress should be utilized to the one one who needs to proceed this battle,” Zelenskyy mentioned in a press release on social media.
(With inputs from companies)