Amid ceasefire talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Ukrainian forces in the Russian city of Kursk to surrender.
He met with members of the Russian Security Council on Friday, CNN reported. At the meeting, Putin accused Ukrainian troops of abusing civilians in the area and ordered them to surrender. Putin said the survival of the surrendering troops would be ensured.
US officials have discussed a ceasefire with Ukraine with Russian representatives. Initially, a 30-day ceasefire is being discussed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Putin of trying to sabotage the ceasefire initiative. He is trying to do just that. Trump, however, trusts Putin. He also urged him not to kill Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk.
Ukrainian forces entered Russia through the country’s western border last August. They captured several parts, including Kursk. But Russia has been retaliating in Kursk since last week. Putin has stepped up the attack. Russian forces have surrounded Ukrainian troops in the city.
Both Zelensky and Trump have expressed concern about the situation in Kursk. “There are thousands of Ukrainian soldiers trapped in Kursk,” Trump said. “I told Putin not to kill them. If they do, it will be the greatest massacre since World War II.”
Putin has said he is interested in Trump’s ceasefire talks. But Ukrainian troops in Kursk must surrender. So far, Zelensky has been reluctant.