Moscow [ Russia ], March 15 (ANI): Russia n President Vladimir Putin demanded on Friday that the Ukrainian troops Kursk surrender , just hours following ex-US President Donald Trump's Trump said he had urged Putin To save the lives of Ukrainian troops in the area, according to The New York Times.
I have emphatically appealed to the President Putin that their lives be preserved," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Putin responded during a televised address, saying, "To ensure the successful execution of this request, it is essential for the leaders to" Ukraine required them to instruct their military units to surrender their weapons surrender ."
Both Putin and Trump stated that Ukrainian troops were encircled in Kursk , the area where Ukrainian forces had launched a border-crossing operation during the previous summer. Nevertheless, both Ukrainian officials and independent experts have challenged these assertions. On Friday, Ukraine The military released a statement indicating, "We do not face any threat of being surrounded," dismissing these claims as "untrue and manufactured by certain parties." Russia ns."
A Ukrainian combatant engaged in battle Kursk , choosing to remain anonymous, characterized the condition as "poor, nearly critical," yet maintained that it wasn’t as severe as Trump had suggested.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy provided no signs that the Ukrainian forces were going to surrender However, he admitted that the circumstances were tough. "The conditions are extremely challenging," he stated. He leveled accusations Putin in an attempt to undermine diplomatic efforts, wrote on social media, " Putin He cannot escape this conflict without ending up with nothing. For that reason, he is currently exerting every effort to obstruct diplomatic efforts by proposing exceedingly harsh and unpalatable terms right from the start, even before any discussions begin. cease-fire ."
Putin 's demand for surrender came after Trump highlighted "highly effective and fruitful conversations" with the Russia In regard to a potential discussion with the leader, cease-fire . "There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump wrote on Friday.
The ongoing fighting in Kursk has turned the area into a central focus within cease-fire negotiations . Russia In recent days, coalition forces have made advances, with Putin pressing them to finish their assault "as quickly as feasible."
In the meantime, the circumstances have led to evacuation orders. Ukraine 'S Sumy region, which shares a border with Kursk "Aerial assaults — including glide bombs and unmanned aerial vehicles — have escalated in the border regions," stated Volodymyr Artiukhin, who leads the Sumy Regional Military Administration. He announced the compulsory relocation of residents from eight villages, according to The New York Times.
Despite Ukraine and the United States providing a 30-day unconditional offer cease-fire , Putin has kept pushing for further requirements. The Russia The leader indicated that he desired Ukraine to direct its troops to surrender As part of any peace agreement, a position he initially suggested on Thursday before clearly stating it on Friday.
Putin met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff Moscow on Thursday to address the issue. After the discussion, Russia And U.S. officials showed "guarded hope" regarding the continuing developments. negotiations .
The Kremlin stated that Putin relayed information and further indications for the President Trump " through Witkoff. The Russia n government also said Putin expected to talk to Trump However, "a scheduling for the call had not been set yet."
Dmitri S. Peskov, Putin The spokesperson mentioned that the results of the diplomatic discussions would be more apparent following Witkoff’s briefing. Trump After Mr. Witkoff shares all of the details he obtained, Moscow To the president -- we will decide the timing of the discussion afterward," Peskov stated. "Both parties agree that this conversation needs to take place.
The U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Witkoff, has additionally assumed an important position in talks regarding this matter. Russia Last month, he had a meeting with Putin For three hours, while discussing a prisoner swap, as reported by The New York Times.
While Trump showed hopefulness regarding the potential for peace; however, U.S. officials maintain a cautious perspective. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz stated to Fox News, “Naturally, each party will have their own requirements, and naturally, they will also need to yield certain concessions.” (ANI)