Trump Urges Putin To Spare Lives Of Ukrainians, Russian President Asks Zelenskyy's Troops To Surrender

Last Updated:March 14, 2025, 23:06 IST

Trump said that he spoke to Putin and urged him to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers who are at war with Russia. Putin also responded to Trump's request, asking Ukrainian troops to surrender.

US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin | File Image/AFP

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he had a “productive" discussion with Vladimir Putin, during which he “strongly" urged his Russian counterpart to “spare the lives" of Ukrainian soldiers — a request that was dealt with in a “sympathetic" view by Moscow.

Trump, after the phone call with Putin, also suggested that there is a “very good chance" that the war with Ukraine could finally end.

Trump Speaks To Putin Over Ukraine Ceasefire

“We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end — BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION," Trump posted on Truth Social.

“I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!" he added.

Trump-Putin talks come at a time when Russia and Ukraine are pushing for an end to the deadly war that has been underway since February 2022. Ukraine has already agreed to the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire during talks in Saudi Arabia this week.

Putin Responds To Trump’s Request

Responding to Trump’s request to spare Ukrainian lives, Putin asked Zelenskyy’s troops fighting in the Kursk region to surrender.

“We are sympathetic to President Trump’s call," Putin said in televised remarks. “If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment," Putin added.

He also called on Ukraine’s leaders to pass an order to their troops to surrender before the Russians.

Putin On US Ceasefire Proposal

Earlier on Thursday, Putin reacted to the US proposal for a 30-day immediate ceasefire, saying that Moscow was open to it but also insisted that crucial terms and concerns must be addressed beforehand.

“We agree with the proposal for a ceasefire (with Ukraine) to cease hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this ceasefire should lead to an enduring peace and should remove the root causes of this crisis," the Russian President said at a joint press conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin has also expressed his doubts about whether the Ukrainian forces would comply with the ceasefire and raised concerns that the halt in fighting could allow Zelenskyy’s forces to regroup.

“How will other aspects be dealt with along the 2,000-kilometer contact line? As you know, Russian troops are advancing practically in every sector, and all the conditions are there for us to besiege fairly large units. So what would happen during those 30 days?" Putin said.

Putin also asked who would ensure the enforcement of the deal and how violations of the ceasefire would be addressed. He also stressed that there is a need for further negotiations, including a direct phone call with Trump.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took a sharp view of Moscow’s skepticism for a ceasefire and accused Putin of attempting to stretch the war rather than seeking a solution.

“Regrettably, for more than a day already, the world has yet to hear a meaningful response from Russia to the proposals made. This once again demonstrates that Russia seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible," he said.

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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