Zelenskyy says Russia planning 'encirclement' in border region

Volodymyr Verbianyi, Bloomberg News on Mar 15, 2025

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Kremlin forces are looking to surround Kyiv’s troops in the northeastern Ukrainian region directly bordering Kursk as negotiations move forward toward a temporary ceasefire, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

While Russia is advancing in its Kursk region, trying to push back Ukrainian soldiers who’ve held part of the area since last summer, the latter haven’t been encircled, despite Kremlin claims amplified by U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv on Saturday.

“Russia wants to encircle Ukrainian troops on same axis, but on Ukraine’s territory,” Zelenskyy said. “We have a clear understanding of where they want to do this.”

Serhiy Nikiforov, a spokesman for Zelenskyy, elaborated that Zelenskyy was referring to Sumy, the region directly across the border from Kursk.

Russia is looking for a stronger position before a potential temporary ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and the U.S. to President Vladimir Putin this week, Zelenskyy said. The Kremlin leader has made “maximalist” demands surrounding a ceasefire expected to be unacceptable to Ukrainians and other Europeans, according to Western security officials.

The U.S., which dispatched envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow for talks this week, hasn’t responded to Putin’s proposals yet. Zelenskyy said he expects a “clear” and “firm” response from the U.S. if Putin rejects a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy added that Russia’s offensive plans — including the prospect of pushing ground forces into Sumy — is a sign Putin isn’t preparing to lay down arms. “Such steps doesn’t mean peace,” he said.