Putin calls for complete victory in Kursk as talks with Trump's envoy in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a call for total victory in Kursk, emphasizing the need for Russian troops to eliminate all Ukrainian forces from the border region ahead of upcoming talks in Moscow with a U.S. envoy.
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On March 13, 2025, Putin visited a military command center in Kursk, emphasizing that troops must "destroy" any remaining Ukrainian combatants in the contested area. Dressed in military fatigues, he stated, "Your mission is to completely eradicate the enemy entrenched in the Kursk region and liberate its territory as quickly as possible."

He insisted that the original status along the border must be reinstated, expressing confidence that the objectives set for the combat units would be met without exception, and that the Kursk region would soon be free of enemy presence.

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise offensive in August, capturing the town of Sudzha and nearby areas. Despite enduring months of Russian counterattacks, Ukrainian positions have recently weakened, prompting a significant resurgence by Russian forces.

Recent aerial footage captured troops in Sudzha raising flags as Ukrainian forces retreated towards the border. These developments occur against a backdrop of U.S. efforts urging both Moscow and Kyiv to return to the negotiating table. Earlier this week, Ukraine and the U.S. discussed a potential 30-day ceasefire, with American officials presenting the idea to the Kremlin, which has not yet committed.
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Russian officials have made it clear that peace talks will not begin until all Ukrainian control in Kursk is relinquished. While Ukraine had hoped to leverage its hold on the territory in negotiations, its presence there is rapidly diminishing.

Putin also indicated plans to consider a security zone along the state border to avert future incursions. He stated that prisoners captured on Russian soil would be classified as "terrorists," adding that "foreign mercenaries" do not fall under the protections of the Geneva Conventions.

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, is set to visit Moscow this week as the administration seeks a ceasefire and a broader peace agreement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the situation is now firmly "in their court," referring to Russia, following the U.S.-Ukrainian consensus on a 30-day ceasefire proposal.

In a handout image from the Kremlin dated March 12, 2025, President Vladimir Putin is seen at a command point overseeing the Kursk group.

The Kremlin's response has been cautious. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday that officials are currently "scrutinizing" the publicly available statements and are hesitant to make any premature judgments about the ceasefire.

On Thursday, Peskov confirmed that American negotiators are en route to Moscow. He noted, "Contacts are planned," but refrained from commenting on a possible meeting between Witkoff and Putin, saying, "We will not prejudge, we will tell you later."

Trump's efforts for peace have received acknowledgment from U.S. allies, though some leaders have expressed concern over the president's tendency to echo Russia's misleading narratives about the situation in Ukraine, alongside his public criticism of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the country itself.

On Thursday, Rubio will engage with G7 foreign ministers in Quebec, Canada. His participation comes amid the backdrop of Trump's escalating trade dispute with Canada and the president's controversial remarks suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state.

Rubio addressed the nature of the G7 meeting on Wednesday, stating, "This is not a meeting about how we're going to take over Canada," as reported by the Associated Press.
Source@ABCNEWS

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