Vladimir Putin has called for Ukraine to surrender following President Donald Trump’s plea for the safety of Ukrainian soldiers. Trump, in a Truth Social post, described recent U.S.-Russia ceasefire discussions in Moscow as “very good and productive,” expressing optimism that the war could soon end. He claimed thousands of Ukrainian troops were encircled and urged Putin to spare their lives, warning of a potential massacre.
Putin responded by stating that Ukrainian forces must surrender to ensure their safety, promising they would be treated in accordance with international law. However, Ukraine dismissed the claims of encirclement in the Kursk region as false, accusing Russia of fabricating the narrative for political leverage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Putin’s statements, asserting that the Russian leader is manipulating the situation to block diplomatic resolutions.
Meanwhile, military analysts and defense experts have also refuted Russia’s claims, stating there is no evidence of large-scale Ukrainian encirclement. Despite ongoing ceasefire discussions, Russia maintains that no negotiations will proceed while Ukrainian forces hold territory in Kursk.
