Trump's plea for Putin to spare troops in retreat from Russia

DONALD Trump has warned Vladimir Putin that slaughtering thousands of Ukrainian soldiers he claimed were surrounded would be the worst massacre for more than 80 years.

- By Martyn Brown

The US president's plea to spare the troops came as he urged the Russian leader to sign up to his 30-day ceasefire proposal.

Mr Trump said on the Truth Social network: "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!!!"

But Ukraine's military command last night hit back at the claims their soldiers in Russia's Kursk region were "completely surrounded".

Kyiv's General Staff said: "Reports about the enemy's alleged encirclement of Ukrainian units in the Kursk region are untrue and are being created by the Russians for political purposes and to put pressure on Ukraine and its partners.

"The situation did not change significantly over the day. Combat actions in the operational area of the Kursk military grouping continue."