Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a ceasefire to allow journalists to cross the lines of contact in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeisk, where thousands of Ukrainian troops are entrapped by Russian forces, to see for themselves what the conditions in those two locations are. “They should see the condition of the encircled Ukrainian troops, as this would prompt Ukraine’s political leadership to make decisions about the fate of their citizens and personnel—similar to what was done at Azovstal,” referring to the steel plant in Mariupol where 3,500-4,000 Ukrainian troops surrendered in May of 2022, he said while visiting a military hospital in Moscow. “They will be given this opportunity.”
“Our only concern is that there are no provocations from Ukraine. We are willing to cease hostilities for an agreed period of time—whether it be several hours, two, three, or six hours—to allow groups of journalists into those cities where they can observe the situation, speak to the Ukrainian troops, and then leave. We are ready to bring them to designated entry points, where the Ukrainian personnel can receive them and escort them to the other side.
