Trump Appeals to Putin to Spare ‘Thousands’ of Ukrainian Troops Surrounded by Russians

Russian forces have reported recent success retaking their Kursk border region.

(Left) President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a Keep America Great rally in Phoenix on Feb. 19, 2020; (Right) Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a ceremony in Jerusalem on Jan. 23, 2020. Jim Watson and Emmanuel Dunand/AFP via Getty Images

Amid efforts to broker a 30-day cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to spare potentially thousands of Ukrainian troops that have been surrounded by Russian forces.

In a March 14 post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said his administration has had recent productive talks with the Russian side and “there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.”