Russia will spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in its western Kursk region if Kyiv orders them to surrender, President Vladimir Putin has said, following an appeal from US President Donald Trump to avoid a “horrible massacre” in the area.
Ukraine has denied that its forces in Kursk are encircled, dismissing the claim as a Russian fabrication. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the situation for Ukrainian troops there as “very difficult” on Friday.
Trump took to social media to announce that he had urged Putin to spare the lives of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers who he claimed were “completely surrounded” and at risk.
“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,” Trump wrote.
Speaking to his Security Council, Putin acknowledged Trump’s appeal and said he understood the call to consider humanitarian factors.
“In this regard, I would like to emphasise that if [the Ukrainian troops] lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and decent treatment in accordance with international law and the laws of the Russian Federation,” Putin stated.
“To effectively implement the appeal of the US president, a corresponding order from the military-political leadership of Ukraine is needed for its military units to lay down their arms and surrender.”
Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region have faced increasing pressure in recent days, as a Russian counteroffensive has reclaimed much of the territory Ukraine captured last summer. This has diminished Kyiv’s leverage over Moscow in potential ceasefire negotiations.
Additionally, Russian troops have crossed the border into Ukrainian territory in the Sumy region, which faces Kursk.
### Ceasefire Talks
Trump’s comments follow a meeting in Moscow on Thursday between his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin, where they discussed a US proposal for a 30-day interim ceasefire.
Kyiv has expressed readiness to accept the proposal, while Putin stated his support for the idea but outlined a series of conditions that must be met before Moscow would agree to a truce.
Trump described the talks as “very good and productive,” adding that there was a “very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.”
Zelenskyy also indicated optimism about ending the war with Russia, urging the US and other allies to intensify pressure on Moscow.
“Right now, we have a good chance to end this war quickly and secure peace. We have solid security understandings with our European partners,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
Speaking to reporters, he reiterated his belief that Putin would delay reaching a ceasefire as long as possible.
“If there is a strong response from the United States, they will not let them play around. And if there are steps that Russia is not afraid of, they will delay the process,” Zelenskyy said.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that Putin had used his late-night meeting with Witkoff to convey information and “signals” to Trump. Putin has expressed concerns that Ukraine might exploit any truce to regroup.
“There are certainly reasons to be cautiously optimistic,” Peskov said. “[Putin] stated that he supports President Trump’s position in terms of a settlement, but he raised some questions that need to be addressed collectively.”
Peskov added that the timing of a phone call between the two presidents would be determined after Witkoff briefed Trump.
### Putin’s Conditions
Putin has insisted that Ukraine abandon its ambitions to join NATO, that Russia fully control the four Ukrainian regions it has annexed, and that the size of the Ukrainian army be limited. He has also demanded the easing of Western sanctions and the holding of a presidential election in Ukraine, which Kyiv has dismissed as premature while martial law remains in effect.
Tony Brenton, former British ambassador to Russia, noted that the war has been costly for the Kremlin, leaving Putin eager to find a resolution that is “sellable to his people.”
“But there are some Russian concerns. First, they are winning the battle in Kursk and might want to finish that before a ceasefire takes effect. Second, a ceasefire doesn’t mean everyone stops shooting. There needs to be a system in place that is policed,” he told Al Jazeera.
“In those terms, there are delays and negotiations to establish the ceasefire. However, I think there is a real chance for optimism that we will see a ceasefire in the next few weeks, followed by negotiations for long-term peace,” Brenton added.
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