Home Living Beyond Borders GZERO World Signal In 60 Seconds Puppet Regime GZERO World Podcast Contact Us About Us Careers Privacy Policy Terms

With a ceasefire on the table, Putin tells his troops to keep fighting

March 13, 2025

Alex Kliment

Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses commanders as he visits a control center of the Russian armed forces in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Kursk region, Russia, on March 12, 2025.

Russian Pool/Reuters TV via Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise battlefield visit on Wednesday, telling troops in the Kursk region of Russia to “completely destroy” the Ukrainian forces that have occupied parts of the area for nearly seven months.

The visit came as US envoy Steve Witkoff was headed to Moscow to discuss the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, which was agreed by the US and Ukraine at talks in Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

Ukrainian forces first pushed across the border into Kursk last August in a surprise offensive meant to boost Kyiv’s leverage with Moscow. In recent weeks, Ukraine’s positions there have weakened significantly. On Wednesday, Russia said it had reclaimed the strategic city of Sudzha from Ukrainian forces.

In his remarks, Putin gave no indication of whether Russia is prepared to agree to the ceasefire but stressed that Kursk should be fully liberated “fairly soon.”

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trumpsaid the fate of the ceasefire is “up to Russia now.”

GZEROMEDIA

Hard Numbers: Ukraine’s opens the exit door, More Colombian soldiers kidnapped, South Korea bans cells in schools, Taylor Swift’s big day

A Ukrainian soldier is seen at a checkpoint at the road near a Crimea region border March 9, 2014. Russian forces tightened their grip on Crimea on Sunday despite a U.S. warning to Moscow that annexing the southern Ukrainian region would close the door to diplomacy in a tense East-West standoff.

REUTERS/Viktor Gurniak

60: Ukraine will allow men aged 18–22 to leave the country, easing a wartime ban that kept males under 60 from crossing the border.

GZEROMEDIA

Microsoft’s Environmental Sustainability Report 2025

Microsoft

Five years ago, Microsoft set bold 2030 sustainability goals: to become carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste—all while protecting ecosystems. That commitment remains—but the world has changed, technology has evolved, and the urgency of the climate crisis has only grown. This summer, Microsoft launched the 2025 Environmental Sustainability Report, offering a comprehensive look at the journey so far, and how Microsoft plans to accelerate progress. You can read the report here.

About Us Careers Press Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use

With a ceasefire on the table, Putin tells his troops to keep fighting

GZEROMEDIA

More from GZERO Media

The power of sports

Sports inspire greatness, determination, and resilience—both on and off the field. Bank of America is proud to celebrate the achievements of and uplift communities through the power of sports. Learn more about how Bank of America supports athletes in life and in the game.

Is the US preparing to strike Venezuela?

In this episode of Ian Bremmer’s Quick Take, Ian breaks down escalating US actions toward Venezuela.

Three Numbers, One Story: Trump ups India's tariffs

Washington’s double game in Venezuela: Warships, oil tankers, and uncertain outcomes

The Trump administration is divided over its approach to Venezuela, according to Venezuelan journalist Tony Frangie Mawad.

Hard Numbers: Ukraine’s opens the exit door, More Colombian soldiers kidnapped, South Korea bans cells in schools, Taylor Swift’s big day

60: Ukraine will allow men aged 18–22 to leave the country, easing a wartime ban that kept males under 60 from crossing the border.

GZEROMEDIA

What We’re Watching: Trump to talk Gaza plan, Niger’s anti-colonial crusade gives Russia an opening, Australia follows the money to Tehran

Here's why Israel will accept a Gaza ceasefire soon

Israel is under increasing pressure–at home and abroad–to reach a ceasefire with Hamas. That's nothing new. But what is new, says Eurasia Group's Firas Maksad, are political opportunities for Bibi–at home and abroad–to make a deal and come out on top.

In Milei's Argentina, a fight for indigenous land

In Argentina’s Patagonia, Indigenous Mapuche communities say they are facing increasing persecution under President Javier Milei, the Libertarian leader whose promises of economic reform are intensifying long-standing conflicts over land rights and environmental protection.

Microsoft’s Environmental Sustainability Report 2025

What We’re Watching: Trump says he’s firing a Fed governor, French PM faces the guillotine, Botswana declares public health emergency

With a ceasefire on the table, Putin tells his troops to keep fighting

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

More from GZERO Media

Sports inspire greatness, determination, and resilience—both on and off the field. Bank of America is proud to celebrate the achievements of and uplift communities through the power of sports. Learn more about how Bank of America supports athletes in life and in the game.

In this episode of Ian Bremmer’s Quick Take, Ian breaks down escalating US actions toward Venezuela.

The Trump administration is divided over its approach to Venezuela, according to Venezuelan journalist Tony Frangie Mawad.

60: Ukraine will allow men aged 18–22 to leave the country, easing a wartime ban that kept males under 60 from crossing the border.

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

Israel is under increasing pressure–at home and abroad–to reach a ceasefire with Hamas. That's nothing new. But what is new, says Eurasia Group's Firas Maksad, are political opportunities for Bibi–at home and abroad–to make a deal and come out on top.

In Argentina’s Patagonia, Indigenous Mapuche communities say they are facing increasing persecution under President Javier Milei, the Libertarian leader whose promises of economic reform are intensifying long-standing conflicts over land rights and environmental protection.