On the day president Donald Trump appealed to Russian president Vladimir Putin to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers surrounded in the Kursk region, Putin on Friday called on Ukrainian forces to surrender.
Putin had earlier stated that the situation in Kursk was under Russian control and that Ukrainian soldiers had only two options: surrender or die if a physical blockade were to occur. Putin said Ukrainian soldiers were cut off inside the invasion zone. “And if a physical blockade occurs in the coming days, then no one will be able to leave at all, there will be only two ways – to surrender or die.”
Ukraine’s top commander denied this week that his men were being encircled, but said they were adopting better defensive positions.
Putin’s call comes after Trump, in a post on Truth Social, urged the Russian president to spare the lives of thousands of Ukrainian troops, warning of a potential massacre comparable to those seen in World War II. He emphasized the dire situation faced by these troops, who he claimed were completely surrounded by Russian forces.
“We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end — BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION. 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. God bless them all!!!,” Trump said.
Putin’s ultimatum also comes as Russia continues to regain control over the Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces had occupied since August 2023.
Despite Ukraine’s denial that its troops are encircled, Putin’s statement reflects Russia’s military pressure on Ukrainian forces.
On Thursday, Putin had also expressed support for a ceasefire but with conditions that would lead to long-term peace and address the root causes of the conflict.