Ukraine troops in Russian territory will live if they surrender: Putin

Russian leader says he will heed Trump's appeal over 'surrounded' soldiers in Kursk

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WASHINGTON/MOSCOW - US President Donald Trump urged Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on March 14 to spare Ukrainian troops that Russia is pushing out of its Kursk region, an appeal Mr Putin said he would honor if they surrendered.

Mr Trump put up a post on social media after his envoy, Mr Steve Witkoff, held a lengthy meeting with Mr Putin on March 13 in Moscow that the President described as "very good and productive".

"There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Mr Trump said, referring to a US ceasefire proposal that Ukraine accepted this week and was under consideration by Russia.

The US President said Russia's military had completely surrounded thousands of Ukrainian troops in Kursk, who were "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!!!"

In a statement on social media after being briefed by his top general, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 15 that Kyiv's troops were not encircled in Kursk, but that Moscow was accumulating forces nearby for a separate attack.

"This indicates an intention to attack our Sumy region," he said. "We are aware of this and will counter it. I would like all partners to understand exactly what Putin is planning, what he is preparing for and what he will be ignoring."