(The Post News)– In a dramatic shift on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised that the Ukrainian soldiers in Moscow-claimed western Kursk province would not be hurt if Kyiv requested them to surrender, following a pleading call by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump, beseeching Putin not to order a “horrible massacre,” pointed out the desperate situation of the Ukrainian troops surrounded in the province, which was claimed by Moscow to have been captured.
Ukraine, however, rejected the allegations as a Russian authorities fabrication. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterised the situation as “very difficult” for the Ukrainian troops, having acknowledged the mounting pressure they are experiencing. Meanwhile, Trump, in a tweet, stated that he had personally implored Putin not to kill the lives of the thousands of Ukrainians, who were, according to his words, “completely surrounded” and unarmed. Trump warned that any such mass killing would be a tragedy “not seen since World War II.”
Putin, on the other hand, addressed Russia’s Security Council, saying that he had viewed Trump’s invitation and acknowledged the humanitarian interest. Despite accusing Ukrainian troops of crimes against civilians, which has been disputed by Kyiv, Putin offered a solution: if the Ukrainian troops laid down their arms and surrendered, they would be guaranteed “life and reasonable treatment” under international law and Russian law.
Putin also underlined that it would require a formal order from the Ukrainian powers to their troops to put down their arms. Russia’s deputy chairman of its Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, clarified that anyone found disobeying would face “methodical and merciless destruction.”
The battles in Kursk have raged hotter over the last several days, with Russian forces pushing a counterattack that recovered most of the ground Ukraine gained. The territory became a focus point last August, when Ukrainian forces, in a stunning reversal, captured a section of Russian-held territory—a step that gave Kyiv a strategic advantage in subsequent peace talks.
Trump’s statement followed negotiations between Putin and his personal Middle Eastern representative, Steve Witkoff, for a potential 30-day ceasefire. Kyiv signalled that it was willing to accept the truce, as Putin has stated that certain conditions must be met before committing to a ceasefire. The criteria are that Ukraine abandon its aspiration of joining NATO and accept Russian dominance over the four territories that Moscow claims it controls. Moreover, Putin has demanded the easing of the Western sanctions and the holding of elections in Ukraine—an issue that Kiev insists is premature until the imposition of martial law is repealed.
Zelenskyy, referring to social media, insisted that there was a “good chance” of ending the war quickly but added that Russia might drag out a ceasefire for as long as it wanted. “If there is enormous pressure from America, they will not allow Russia to play games,” Zelenskyy said, calling for sustained international pressure to compel Moscow into an agreement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was hope of a guarded nature regarding the likelihood of a ceasefire but that there were still many questions to be answered. He further added that when or if the phone call would come between Putin and Trump would depend on the development of the negotiations between Witkoff and Putin.
The call for a ceasefire follows the growing economic and human cost of the war for Russia. Tony Brenton, former British Ambassador to Russia, noted that while Russia’s military position has improved in Kursk, there are uncertainties in the Kremlin over the effectiveness and implementation of any ceasefire agreement.
Despite the setbacks, Brenton spoke cautiously hopefully, noting that an agreement to a ceasefire could occur within a matter of weeks and result in long-term peace negotiations. The outcome of these talks is uncertain, but with the situation in Kursk escalating by the minute, the world waits with bated breath, hoping for the breakthrough that could finally bring an end to the heartbreaking war.
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