Putin sets new condition for ceasefire: Ukrainian troops in Kursk must surrender
As reported by Ukrinform, this information comes from the Kremlin's Telegram channel, citing Putin's speech at an operational meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council.
The Kremlin leader said he “understood” Trump’s call to prioritize humanitarian considerations concerning Ukrainian soldiers.
“Provided they lay down their arms and surrender, these Ukrainian soldiers will be guaranteed life and humane treatment in accordance with international law and Russian laws,” Putin said.
He added that, for the “effective implementation of Trump’s call,” Ukraine’s political-military leadership must give the corresponding order to the military units to surrender and be taken as prisoners of war.
Putin claims that Ukrainian soldiers are blocked by Russian troops in Kursk region. He also alleged that these Ukrainian fighters have committed “many crimes against the civilian population” of Kursk region, which Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office is investigating as “terrorism.”
As reported by Ukrinform, U.S. President Donald Trump, after a discussion with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, stated that he had strongly urged Putin to save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.
On Friday, the Ukrainian General Staff’s press service declared that reports of Ukrainian units allegedly being encircled by the enemy in Kursk region were false and fabricated by the Russians for political purposes.
On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the primary goal of the Kursk operation was to divert Russian troops from Pokrovsk, the Kharkiv direction, and Sumy. Ukrainian forces successfully achieved this goal, though the situation in Kursk remains challenging.
