Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the besieged Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk region to surrender. At the same time, Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Russian leader of trying to sabotage the ceasefire initiative.

US President Donald Trump urged Putin to spare the lives of Ukrainian troops. He said his envoy had held "productive" talks with the Russian president on the proposed 30-day ceasefire.

Over the past week, Russia has launched a rapid counter-offensive in the western border region of Kursk. Moscow regained much of the territory that Ukraine had seized in a shock incursion last August, AFP reported.

A defeat for Ukraine in Kursk would be a major blow to Kiev's plans to use its control of the area as a bargaining chip in future peace talks with Moscow.

"We are sympathetic to President Trump's call," Putin said.

"If they drop their weapons and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and decent treatment," the Russian leader added.

Trump said "thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers are "completely surrounded by the Russian military and are in a very bad and vulnerable situation." | BGNES