Russian President, Putin, unexpectedly arrives in Kursk as Russian forces approach Ukraine's last significant stronghold
In an unexpected turn of events, President Vladimir Putin paid an unscheduled visit to Russia's annexed Kursk region today. The Kremlin is currently contemplating a proposed 30-day truce by the US, with Russian forces encroaching on Ukraine's lone territory of negotiation.
Swathed in military attire, Putin addressed frontline troops in a broadcast by Russian state television, stating that Moscow's goal is to "rapidly liberate" Kursk. This marked his first journey to the western territory since Ukraine's unforeseen incursion there last year.
Putin's visit seemed strategically planned to bolster troop morale as Russian forces push forward on the final pockets of Ukrainian resistance within Russia's borders. The trip came a day after peace negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials resulted in Kyiv agreeing to a 30-day truce backed by the US.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed reporters today that Putin was "meticulously examining" the proposition, awaiting briefings from US officials in the near future.
Hours later, footage from Russian state media depicted Putin meeting with his top general Valery Gerasimov in Kursk, before delivering a speech to soldiers. In his address, Putin urged troops to expel the remaining Ukrainian forces in the region and floated the idea of creating a "buffer zone" along the border between Russia and Ukraine.
Putin also declared that Ukrainian prisoners of war should be perceived as "terrorists."
Ukraine initiated its surprise incursion into Kursk in August, seizing territory in what was the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II. The objective included capturing land that could potentially be traded for Russian-seized territories, as well as diverting Moscow's resources from the eastern frontlines.
However, Ukraine has faced difficulties in maintaining its hold on the region, with its grip weakening significantly in recent days.
Gerasimov declared yesterday that Russian forces had retaken over 86% of the area captured by Ukraine, with 430 Ukrainian soldiers taken prisoner, and the remaining Ukrainians surrounded. He claimed that Kyiv's aspirations of utilizing Kursk as a negotiating assets had "completely disintegrated."
Peskov stated on Thursday that the operation to purge the remaining Ukrainian forces has entered its ultimate phase, according to Reuters, citing state news agency TASS. Ukraine's army has acknowledged being driven out of several settlements in Kursk by Russian forces in recent days.
On Wednesday, Ukraine's top general Oleksandr Syrskyi hinted at additional tactical withdrawals to "more favorable positions," emphasizing his priority as "preserving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers."
Russia has conducted aerial strikes on its own territory, including the town of Sudzha, which was "nearly obliterated," Syrskyi asserted.
The Russian advance in Kursk endangers Kyiv's sole territorial negotiating card at a critical juncture in the war when a prospective truce teeters on the brink.
US President Donald Trump commented on Wednesday that the decision now lies with Putin as US envoys were traveling to Russia "at this moment," to discuss the truce proposal.
"We'll have to see. It's up to Russia now," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, declining to comment on whether he has a meeting scheduled with the Russian leader.
Trump's Special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is anticipated to travel to Russia later this week, although it is unclear whether he intends to meet with Putin, whom he met with last month.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking in the Oval Office, mentioned that discussions are taking place "by phone and in person with some of our representatives over the next couple of days."
CNN's Daria Tarasova-Markina, Catherine Nicholls, Mariya Knight, Sophie Tanno, and Betsy Klein contributed reporting.
- Given the ongoing advancement in Kursk, President Putin urged Russian troops to quickly expel the remaining Ukrainian forces and create a buffer zone along the border, potentially risking Ukraine's sole territorial negotiating card.
- In a bizarre turn of events, Ukraine, which had incursioned into Kursk last August, now faces the possibility of losing its land in a potentially vital trade for Russian-seized territories, as Russian forces have retaken over 86% of the area and surrounded the remaining Ukrainian troops.
- As Putin met with his top general in Kursk, US President Trump commented that the truce proposal now lies with Putin, with US envoys traveling to Russia to discuss the proposition, hinting at the hanging balance of the war and the potential for a ceasefire between the world powers.
