KYIV, March 15 — Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Ukrainian troops in the Russian border region of Kursk to surrender, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused him of attempting to derail ceasefire negotiations.
KYIV, March 15 — Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Ukrainian troops in the Russian border region of Kursk to surrender, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused him of attempting to derail ceasefire negotiations.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump urged Putin to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, stating that his envoy had held “productive” discussions with the Russian leader on a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
Over the past week, Russia has launched a swift counteroffensive in Kursk, reclaiming much of the territory Ukraine seized in an unexpected incursion last August. Losing Kursk would deal a significant blow to Ukraine’s strategy of using the region as leverage in peace talks amid the ongoing three-year conflict.
“We acknowledge President Trump’s request,” Putin said in a televised statement. “If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment.”
Trump warned that “thousands” of Ukrainian troops were in a dire and vulnerable position, completely surrounded by Russian forces.
‘Horrible Massacre’
“I have strongly urged President Putin to spare their lives. This could become a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II,” Trump stated.
Ukraine’s military, however, dismissed reports of an encirclement. “There is no threat to our units being surrounded,” the General Staff of Ukraine posted on social media.
Zelensky acknowledged the severity of the situation in Kursk but maintained that the campaign still held strategic value. He pointed out that Russia had been forced to divert troops from other front lines, easing pressure on Ukrainian forces defending the eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk.
Trump’s comments followed an update on a meeting between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin regarding a U.S.-Ukrainian proposal for a temporary pause in hostilities.
“We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a strong possibility that this terrible, bloody war could finally come to an end,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Ukraine Losing Ground
Putin, however, expressed reservations about the ceasefire proposal, stating that developments in Kursk would influence Russia’s stance.
Zelensky accused Putin of deliberately setting unrealistic conditions to sabotage diplomatic efforts. “He is doing everything possible to derail diplomacy by imposing extremely difficult and unacceptable conditions even before a ceasefire is agreed upon,” Zelensky posted on X.
The Kremlin signaled “cautious optimism” about reaching a deal but insisted that direct talks between Trump and Putin were necessary for any progress.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz echoed this sentiment in a Fox News interview, saying there was “some cautious optimism” following Witkoff’s meeting with Putin.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Canada, stressed that both sides would need to make “concessions.”
G7 foreign ministers warned Russia of further sanctions if it refused to accept a ceasefire “on equal terms.” Potential measures include caps on Russian oil prices, increased military aid to Ukraine, and other economic pressures.
France and Germany accused Russia of obstructing peace efforts, with European leaders set to discuss further support for Ukraine in a video conference with Zelensky on Saturday.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Russia’s reluctance, stating that Putin’s “complete disregard for President Trump’s ceasefire proposal only proves that he is not serious about peace.”
Diplomatic sources revealed that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas plans to propose a new military aid package worth up to €40 billion ($43.5 billion) for Ukraine.
Ukraine had hoped to leverage its control over Kursk in negotiations with Russia, potentially considering a land swap. Moscow has occupied roughly one-fifth of Ukraine since annexing Crimea in 2014 and launching its full-scale military offensive in February 2022. — AFP
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