On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that it is Russia’s responsibility to keep Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region safe, but if they prefer to surrender. Speaking to the Russian Security Council, he urged Ukrainian authorities to instruct their soldiers to lay down their weapons. His statement came shortly after US President Donald Trump appealed to Putin to spare retreating Ukrainian forces, expressing hope for a swift resolution to the conflict.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to "spare" Ukrainian troops retreating from Russia’s Kursk region, expressing hope for a swift end to the war.

Donald Trump made his remarks after a meeting in Moscow on Thursday night between Vladimir Putin and his envoy, Steve Witkoff. Trump described the meeting as "very good and productive" and expressed optimism, saying, "There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end." He also warned that thousands of Ukrainian troops were "completely surrounded" by Russian forces and in a "very bad and vulnerable position." Trump stated, "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!"

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump stated, “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. 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!!!.”

On Friday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian troops were facing increasing pressure in Russia’s western Kursk region but noted that the operation had helped reduce pressure on Ukrainian forces in other areas. According to news agency AFP, Zelensky stated at a briefing in Kyiv, "The situation in the Kursk region is obviously very difficult," while also mentioning that the fighting in the eastern Donetsk region had stabilised.