The Kremlin says President Putin has been told Russian forces are in the final stage of the operation to drive Ukraine from territory it seized across the border in Kursk
Putin made a surprise visit to Kursk on Wednesday – the first since Ukraine’s incursion last August – with Russian media reporting he ordered the military to “fully liberate” the region
The head of Ukraine’s military, Oleksandr Syrsky, also indicated that some of its troops were withdrawing from Kursk
It comes as US officials are headed to Russia to discuss a potential 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky says Ukraine is making diplomatic efforts to “create all the conditions necessary to put pressure on Russia and achieve real peace”
US President Donald Trump says he has received “positive messages” about the possibility of a ceasefire, while Putin has yet to comment on the offer
