Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded to a request from his American counterpart Donald Trump to spare Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region. Putin said that it is possible to spare the Ukrainian militants if they lay down their arms.
"We have read today's appeal by the President of the United States, Mr. Trump, to spare the lives of the Ukrainian army, parts of which are blocked by Russian troops in the invasion zone of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region... In case of laying down their arms, they (the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — approx. 10,000) life will be guaranteed," Putin said at a meeting with the Security Council. The broadcast of the meeting was hosted by Russia 24 television.
During his speech, Putin stressed that in order to implement the conditions of mercy, it is necessary to receive an order from the Ukrainian side to surrender and lay down their weapons. This will be the main condition for guaranteeing the preservation of the lives of the Ukrainian military trapped in the Kursk region, the Russian leader said.
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Hal Turner Instant Analysis
This is a big deal out here in the real world. Those troops are inside Russia proper; Russia that existed before the war with Ukraine broke out. They are fully, completely, and absolutely surrounded. Total encirclement. NONE of them has any chance at all of surviving if they decide to fight it out.
President Putin knows those troops have committed not only acts of war against Russia, but also atrocities against civilians in Kursk. For President Putin to publicly agree to the request from President Trump is an extraordinary thing. Putin and Russia gain NOTHING from this act of kindness; yet they are doing it nonetheless. Let that sink-in for a moment.
Now we will see if Ukraine gives the order for the troops to surrender. If they do, then that will be a sign that Ukraine is coming to its senses. If they don't - or refuse to give the order - Russia will have no choice but to kill them all.