Russian President Vladimir Putin responding to an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian troops encircled in the southern Kursk region could surrender and have their lives spared.

Kremlin warned of severe consequences if Ukrainian forces refused. Meanwhile, Kyiv dismissed claims of encirclement calling them false and politically motivated.

Trump has been actively pushing for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Since returning to the political spotlight he has prioritized mediation efforts.

According to Russian officials, Trump directly urged Moscow to allow Ukrainian soldiers to surrender safely. Putin confirmed that Russia would honor Trump’s request but stressed that Ukraine must issue a formal order for its troops to lay down arms.

“If Ukrainian forces surrender, their safety will be guaranteed,” Putin stated. “However, an official directive from Ukraine’s government is necessary to implement this process.”

Kyiv rejected Russia’s claims, insisting that Ukrainian forces remained organized and continued fighting. “There is no blockade in Kursk,” Ukrainian officials stated. “This is another instance of Russian propaganda.”

Trump also commented on the situation via his social media platform, Truth Social. He expressed optimism about talks with Putin, saying they held “a real possibility of ending the war.” However, he warned that failure to reach a resolution could escalate the conflict into “the biggest war since World War II.”

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged diplomatic efforts, stating that “progress is visible” but added that challenges remain before a resolution is reached.