Putin calls Ukrainian troops in Kursk to surrender; Zelensky urges the USA on pressure against Russia

Putin calls Ukrainian troops in Kursk to surrender; Zelensky urges the USA on pressure against Russia

The Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the Ukrainian troops in the Russian region of Kursk to arise, while the diplomatic discussions on a possible ceasefire continued with Ukraine.

Putin's call for surrender

In a meeting with members of the Russian security council on Friday, Putin accused the Ukrainian troops in the region to commit crimes against civilians, but recognized the desire by US President Donald Trump to protect the life of the soldiers, while Russian armed forces get back the area. He claimed that the lives of the resulting soldiers would be guaranteed.

Restoration of relationships with the USA

he added that his country was working on the restoration of relationships with the United States after "practically reduced to zero and destroyed by the previous American administration." With the loss of control over the Kursk, which is the only territory to negotiate, many believe that Putin has the conversations about a Waffeistrass between the USA and Ukraine delayed until the region is back under Russian control. At the beginning of this week, Ukrainian officials had accepted a US offer for a 30-day ceasefire on the entire front line after having had talks with US colleagues in Saudi Arabia.

optimism after meetings with US special envoys

Putin's statements came in Moscow on Thursday-a visit that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as a "reason for careful optimism". Trump had previously struck similar tones a day and described the conversations on Truth Social as "good and productive", and added that "there is a very big chance that this terrible, bloody war can finally come to an end."

humanitarian considerations

Trump also said that he "urgently asked for it" that Putin spares the life of the Ukrainian troops in Kursk. "We understand the call from President Trump to be directed by humanitarian considerations in these soldiers," said Putin on Friday. "In this context, I would like to emphasize that if you lay down your weapons and surrender, live and adequate treatment according to international law and the laws of the Russian Federation are guaranteed."

reports on executions

The Ukrainian armed forces first had to give the order to surrender to the troops in Kursk, he added. In February, the United Nations' human rights surveillance mission in Ukraine explained that it was alerted about reports that dozens of Ukrainian soldiers who have been handed over to Russia since the end of August 2024 were "shot". "All allegations of the execution of prisoners of Ukrainian military and public statements that demand or cheap such actions have to be examined," said Danielle Bell, head of the mission, at that time.

Zelensky's skepticism and calling too strong pressure on Russia

The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj expressed skepticism to Putin's motifs on Friday and asked the United States to take “strong steps” to put pressure on Russia to end war against Kiev. In a series of contributions on x wrote the Ukrainian leader and that "we have had this since the first few minutes War only wanted one - that Russia leaves our people alone and the Russian occupiers leave our country. ”

The continuous loss of life

"Every day of the war means the loss of our people's lives - the most valuable thing we have," he said. Selenskyj also accused Putin of saboting the peace negotiations and lying about the "real situation" on the battlefield. The Russian President had on Thursday suggested a number of conditions for a ceasefire "Causes" of the conflict must address as they are seen in the Kremlin.

Review of the conflict

Russia had Ukraine in 2014 and started a comprehensive invasion in 2022. The military dispositive of the block in Eastern Europe and Central Europe must be reduced - which the United States and its allies described as unacceptable and condemned the invasion as an obvious land robbery.