Russia called out Ukrainian troops to surrender right after Trump’s appeal to halt the war between the two nations.

Putin urges Ukrainian soldiers to lay down arms:

Putin called on Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region to surrender. Trump, however, appealed to Putin to safely return the Ukrainian troops. In a televised statement, Putin said, “We acknowledge President Trump’s request. If they surrender, they will be treated with dignity, and their lives will be protected.” He also urged Ukrainian leaders to order their forces to lay down their weapons.

Trump’s call for peace and Ukrainian troops’ safety:

After a successful meeting between Trump’s envoy and the Russian President, Trump said that he believes the war between Ukraine and Russia would end soon. Trump stressed that thousands of Ukrainian troops were trapped and in a vulnerable situation. Trump stated, “I have strongly urged President Putin to spare their lives. It would be a tragedy of historic proportions.”

Also Read: Trump’s Peace Talks With Putin Spark Global Concerns

Military experts say Ukrainian forces in Kursk are close to being surrounded. However, Ukraine’s military insists its troops are retreating strategically and are not at risk of total encirclement.

G7 leaders warn Russia of more sanctions:

The G7, a group of seven countries, warned Russia to halt the war. They demand a ceasefire and threaten more sanctions if Moscow does not comply. The leaders of the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, in a meeting in Quebec, showed their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

A G7 statement urged Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine already supports. The leaders also discussed additional sanctions and ways to increase economic pressure on Russia.

Zelensky sees a chance for peace:

Zelensky hopes the war will soon end. On social media, he stated that Ukraine has strong security agreements with its European allies. However, he also said that it’s time to end the war, and we are at the doorstep to do so. He hinted at a possible truce, but negotiations remain uncertain.

Putin and Saudi crown prince discussion:

The Russian President and Saudi Prince discussed OPEC agreements and committed to maintaining their oil production agreements. The Kremlin noted that Saudi Arabia has played a pivotal role in mediation efforts between Russia and the United States. In February, the two nations held diplomatic discussions facilitated by Saudi officials.