On Friday, US President Donald Trump called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to release the Ukrainian soldiers. In response, Putin said that if the Ukrainian soldiers surrender, he would guarantee their lives. The Reuters report quoted Putin as saying, “If they surrender, we guarantee that we will save their lives.

Their lives and proper treatment will be guaranteed in accordance with international law and the laws of the Russian Federation.”

Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday, “Yesterday we had a very good and productive discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin. There is a very good chance that this terrible, bloody war will end.” He also conveyed the message of saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers to Putin. However, Trump did not clarify whether he had spoken to Putin directly. Sources said Putin had a lengthy meeting with US Ambassador Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Thursday night. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a phone call between the two leaders would be arranged after Witkoff briefed Trump.

While Putin has set a condition for the surrender of Ukrainian troops, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman and former President Dmitry Medvedev has issued a stern warning. He wrote on social media, “If the Ukrainian troops refuse to surrender, they will be systematically and ruthlessly eliminated.” The contradictory statements have complicated the prospects for a ceasefire.

Trump spoke to Putin this week and proposed a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Putin said on Thursday that he agreed with the proposal in principle. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also agreed to it. Zelensky said, “Ukraine is ready for the proposed ceasefire. This is an opportunity to create a comprehensive peace plan. I am serious about ending the war and this is very important to me.”

Trump said he wanted Moscow and Kiev to quickly agree to a ceasefire, in order to avoid a conflict that could escalate into World War III. “There have already been many deaths on both sides of this war. We want this bloodshed to stop,” he said. The war has killed millions of soldiers and civilians since it began, underscoring the urgent need for peace.

U.S. and Russian officials are now negotiating the terms of the ceasefire. Despite the Trump administration and Ukraine’s agreement, Russia’s surrender terms and Medvedev’s warnings have complicated the situation. The direction of the talks in the coming days will depend on Putin’s final decision and the response of Ukrainian troops.