Kiev refuses Putin’s suggestion of mercy for troops in Kursk Region

(MENAFN) Despite being largely encircled, Ukrainian forces operating in Russia’s Kursk Region will continue their mission, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga stated in an interview on Saturday. Speaking with Japan’s NHK, Sibiga asserted that Ukraine had already achieved its primary objectives in the offensive and sees maintaining a military presence on Russian territory as a bargaining chip in future peace talks.

Ukraine launched its cross-border incursion into Kursk Region last August, initially capturing the town of Sudzha and several villages. However, the Russian military quickly halted the advance and has since regained most of the lost territory. According to Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov, 86% of the land previously occupied by Ukrainian forces has been reclaimed, leaving the remaining Ukrainian troops "isolated" and "encircled."

Despite this, Sibiga reaffirmed Kiev’s commitment to continuing the operation, calling it a crucial factor in upcoming negotiations. His statement comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to accept a 30-day ceasefire, as proposed by Washington and Kiev during recent talks in Saudi Arabia. However, Putin insisted that the status of the Ukrainian forces in Kursk must be addressed before any truce can take effect.

US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, acknowledging that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers were in a dire position and urging Moscow to show mercy. In response, Putin assured that any Ukrainian troops who surrendered would be treated with leniency and guaranteed safety.

Despite these developments, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky denied that his forces were surrounded, admitting that the situation was “difficult” but rejecting claims of an encirclement.

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