Russian President Vladimir Putin reacted on Friday to a post by US President Donald Trump, who had earlier on the same day on the Truth Social platform asked for mercy for the partially surrounded Ukrainian military in the Russian region of Kursk.
Putin reminded that Ukrainian soldiers have committed numerous war crimes against the civilian population in the Kursk region and therefore, he sees only a humanitarian way out for the surrounded:
“The Ukrainian fighters have committed numerous crimes against the civilian population in the occupied territories, which are qualified as terrorism by the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation. At the same time, we understand the appeal by Donald Trump to lead us against these military personnel from a humanitarian perspective. If the Ukrainian units lay down their arms and surrender, their life and a proper treatment in accordance with international norms and the laws of the Russian Federation will be ensured” the President said.
The political and military leadership in Kiev should issue the surrender order, the Russian head of state added in the brief statement.
Earlier in the day, the US President had published a statement on his social media, saying:
“We had very good and productive discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday and there is a very big chance that this terrible, bloody war can finally be ended. But at this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian military personnel are completely surrounded by the Russian military. They are in a very bad and vulnerable position. I have strongly urged President Putin to spare their lives. It would be a terrible massacre, one that has not been seen since World War II. God protect them all!