Late Wednesday, Russia’s President Vladimir V. Putin, clad in military fatigues, visited a command post near the front lines in Kursk to encourage his troops following their successful expulsion of Ukrainian forces from significant areas in the bordering region.
This notable appearance by the Russian leader followed a meeting a day prior, where a U.S. delegation convened in Saudi Arabia with Ukrainian officials who reached a consensus on a 30-day cease-fire in the ongoing conflict. American representatives intend to present this proposal to Mr. Putin, who has previously indicated a lack of interest in a short-term truce.
In images circulated by the Kremlin, Mr. Putin, dressed in a green camouflage uniform, was seen at a desk with maps laid out before him. He was accompanied by General Valery V. Gerasimov, the chief military officer of Russia.
In footage provided by Russian state media, Mr. Putin commended the Russian military units for reclaiming substantial territories that Ukraine had seized in the Kursk region. He urged the soldiers to secure the territory permanently against the Ukrainian forces, who had been occupying parts of the Russian border region since last summer. Ukraine had intended to leverage this area in negotiations for peace.
The Russian president also insisted that Ukrainian troops captured in the region should be treated and prosecuted as terrorists according to Russian law. General Gerasimov mentioned that over 400 Ukrainian soldiers had been taken prisoner during the recent operations.
“Individuals present in the Kursk region who commit crimes against the civilian populace and oppose our armed forces, law enforcement bodies, and special services will be classified as terrorists under Russian law,” declared Mr. Putin.
He mentioned that “foreign mercenaries” are not subject to the Geneva Convention, which covers the treatment of prisoners of war. The ongoing conflict, which erupted following Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has seen the participation of foreign fighters. Recently, Russia sentenced a 22-year-old British volunteer who fought for the Ukrainian military to 19 years in prison on counts of terrorism and mercenary activities after his capture in the Kursk region last year.
This week, Russian forces intensified their offensive to drive Ukrainian troops out of the area as Kyiv faced the ramifications of the Trump administration’s decision last week to suspend U.S. intelligence and military aid to Ukraine following a chaotic confrontation in the Oval Office between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Following discussions on Tuesday with Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia, the Trump administration announced it would reinstate the assistance.
By that time, Russian troops were already making significant progress in recapturing Sudzha, a key settlement in the Kursk region that had been under Ukrainian control for the past year.
For several months, Ukraine’s hold over Russian territory has been a contentious issue for Moscow, which has reinforced its military presence with North Korean soldiers in an effort to reclaim the land.
Russian officials announced a notable assault in Kursk last Saturday, reporting that around 800 fighters executed a surprise attack, advancing approximately 10 miles through an abandoned gas pipeline.
On Wednesday, Ukraine’s military chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, stated in a statement that Ukrainian forces were repositioning to “more advantageous positions” as needed and would “maintain their positions in the Kursk region for as long as it is reasonable and necessary.” He emphasized, “In the most challenging circumstances, protecting the lives of Ukrainian soldiers remains my paramount concern.”
Mr. Putin remarked that any temporary cease-fire or truce would merely benefit Ukrainian forces, who are currently struggling on the battlefield and could use such a break to regroup.
Russia has requested a more comprehensive security deal supported by the West, including assurances that Ukraine will not join the NATO military alliance, along with other commitments that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“We do not seek a truce,” stated Mr. Putin during his annual news conference in December. “What we desire is peace: a long-lasting and stable peace with guarantees for the Russian Federation and its citizens.”
Marc Santora contributed reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine.