Ukraine refutes Trump claims; denies troops encirclement
"Reports of the so-called 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units by the enemy in the Kursk region are false," stated the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This statement is a reaction to Donald Trump's message, which mentioned the "encirclement and difficult situation" of Ukrainian soldiers.
Ukrainians called the reports repeated by Trump "fabricated by Russians for political manipulation and to pressure Ukraine and its partners."
"The situation has largely remained unchanged over the last day. Combat operations are ongoing in the operational zone of the 'Kursk' force group," the statement further reads.
"The units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces have successfully regrouped, withdrawn to more advantageous defensive positions, and are fulfilling their assigned tasks in the Kursk region. Our soldiers effectively repel enemy offensive actions and inflict significant fire losses using all available weapons systems," emphasized the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The military also indicated that since the morning, there have been 13 clashes in the battle area, but "there is no risk of encirclement."
Trump's statement
"We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday," Donald Trump conveyed on social media on Friday.
"There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump emphasized, referring to talks by Steve Witkoff, who spoke with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday evening.
