Ukraine loses key territory to Russia, Trump says: Peace lies with Russia

Ukraine loses key territory to Russia, Trump says: Peace lies with Russia

Russian forces have captured Sudzha, the largest city previously occupied by Ukraine Kursk region was occupied, conquered again. This poses a threat to Kyiv's only territorial leverage as news of negotiations to end the war gathers steam.

Russian offensive and strategies

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Thursday: “As part of the offensive operations, units of the Northern Military Group liberated the settlements of Melovoy, Podol and Sudzha.” The U.S.-based conflict monitor, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), also reported that ground video footage indicated that Russian troops had captured Sudzha and fought their way to South Zaoleshenka, a town northwest of Sudzha.

Significance of the recapture of Sudzha

The recapture of Sudzha would represent a significant symbolic victory for Russia. Although Sudzha only had a population of about 5,000 before Ukraine's invasion, it was one of the few Ukrainian-held inhabited towns left.

Negotiations and geopolitical developments

Meanwhile, US special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Thursday, Russian news agency Tass reported. The previous day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed optimism that all Ukrainian-held areas in the Kursk region would soon be liberated. "President Putin has said that this must happen as quickly as possible. It will take as much time as necessary to save as many lives as possible," Peskov said at a regular press briefing.

Putin's surprise visit and military strategy

Putin made a surprise visit to the Kursk region on Wednesday. Dressed in military uniform, as shown on Russian state television, the president told front-line troops that Moscow's goal was to fully "liberate" Kursk as quickly as possible. This visit was carefully orchestrated to boost troop morale as Russia advances on the last remnants of Ukrainian positions inside Russia.

The pressure on the Ukrainian armed forces

Ukrainian soldiers captured in Kursk should be treated as “terrorists,” according to Putin. Ukraine launched its surprise invasion of the country in August Kursk region, by rapidly conquering territory, marking the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II. The aim of this offensive was, among other things, to divert Moscow's resources from the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

Current developments and military withdrawals

However, Kyiv has struggled to hold onto captured territories and its control over the region has rapidly deteriorated in recent days. Ukraine's top general Oleksandr Syrskyi hinted on Wednesday that further tactical withdrawals to "more advantageous positions" were possible as his priority was to "save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers." Russia carried out airstrikes on its own country, including the city of Sudzha, which was "almost completely destroyed."

Reactions of the Ukrainian leadership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday: "The Russians are obviously trying to put maximum pressure on our troops. The military command is doing what is necessary to save as many lives as possible." Russia's top general Valery Gerasimov claimed on Wednesday that Russian forces had recaptured more than 86% of territory occupied by Ukraine and 430 Ukrainian soldiers had been captured.

International reactions and next steps

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the "ball is now in Putin's court" as US officials traveled to Russia to discuss the ceasefire. "We'll have to see. It's up to Russia now," Trump said, declining to provide details about a planned meeting with the Russian leader.

This story has been updated with further developments.