Thread by @Mylovanov

Putin: Trump calls for mercy for Ukrainian troops - but they are terrorists. They will be spared if they surrender, but Ukraine must give the order.

Putin: Ukrainian soldiers have committed terrorist acts in Kursk, but we understand Trump’s call to spare their lives. 1/

Putin: If Ukrainian soldiers lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed their lives and treated with dignity under international law and Russian legislation. 2/

Putin: For President Trump’s call to be carried out effectively, Ukraine’s military and political leadership must order its troops to lay down their arms and surrender. 3/

I think Russia wants to play the same game as before - force Ukraine into a local surrender, only to break the deal and maximize losses before the next round of negotiations.

They did it before Minsk I and II. They are trying to do it again. 4/

In August 2014, Ukrainian forces were encircled by Russian troops in Ilovaisk.

Russia promised a safe corridor, then opened fire - at least 366 killed, 249 wounded. 5/

In February 2015, during the Debaltseve battle, a ceasefire was in place.

Russia ignored it, attacking Ukrainian troops as they withdrew. 6/

March 2022, Mariupol. Russia promised safe evacuation, then bombed the routes, starved defenders, and slaughtered civilians. Surrender meant torture or execution.

Russia’s ceasefires and troop surrender or corridors are not pauses and reconciliation. They are traps. 7X

sources:
1. kyivindependent.com/zelensky-on-il…
2. theguardian.com/world/2015/feb…
3. hrw.org/news/2024/02/0…