# Russian president Vladimir Putin says he is willing to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region. His comments came as a reply to US president Donald Trump’s appeal for the lives of soldiers blocked by Russian troops to be spared. Putin says a full surrender and withdrawal is necessary in order to implement Trump’s call. Meanwhile, the Russian army, reportedly backed by North Korean troops, are close to completely driving Ukrainian forces from their foothold in the Kursk border region in what would be a major setback for Kyiv.
Putin guarantees life of Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk if they surrender