Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Kursk for the first time since Ukraine's incursion in August 2024. He ordered his troops to defeat Ukrainian forces "as soon as possible." His visit came just before an American delegation arrived in Moscow to discuss a ceasefire.

Ukraine’s Incursion and Russia’s Response

In August 2024, Ukrainian troops entered Kursk Oblast and seized a small part of the Russian border. They planned to use this territory as leverage in peace talks. However, Russia quickly launched a strong counterattack. As a result, Russian forces reclaimed most of the lost territory this week, including Sudzha, Kyiv’s biggest gain.

Putin Addresses Troops

On Thursday, Putin visited a command post in Kursk while wearing military camouflage. During his speech, he urged Russian troops to push out Ukrainians in the "shortest possible time." Moreover, he expressed confidence in their ability to complete all combat tasks and reclaim Kursk. Furthermore, Putin declared that captured Ukrainian fighters would be "treated as terrorists" under Russian law.

US Delegation Travels to Moscow

Meanwhile, American envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow. His team planned to present a ceasefire proposal, which Ukraine had already accepted. Notably, the proposal was seen as a step toward ending the war. Before the trip, US President Donald Trump warned Russia of severe financial penalties if it rejected the deal. "If Russia does not agree, we will impose devastating sanctions," he stated. Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supported this stance, saying stronger actions could follow if Putin refused.

Will Putin Accept the Ceasefire?

Trump confirmed that discussions with Russia had not yet begun. "We haven’t spoken with substance, but we will know soon," he said. Although he acknowledged receiving positive signals, he stressed the seriousness of the situation. "This could lead to World War Three," he warned. Therefore, Russia must now decide. The world eagerly awaits Putin’s response.