MOSCOW/KYIV/WASHINGTON/PARIS - Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Ukrainian soldiers that are currently in the Kursk region will be guaranteed life if they surrender, local media reported Friday.

"If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment in accordance with the norms of international law and the laws of the Russian Federation," he said during a meeting with members of the Russian Security Council.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration "had very good and productive discussions" with Putin yesterday, adding that there is a very good chance that the "horrible, bloody war" can finally come to an end.

READ MORE: Putin says Russia 'in favor' of ceasefire, but nuances exist

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that thousands of Ukrainian troops were currently surrounded by the Russian military, adding that he urged Putin to spare their lives.

Putin noted that in order for Trump's call to be carried out, Ukraine's leadership must order its troops to surrender.

Situation 'unchanged'

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Friday denied the reports that Ukrainian troops had been encircled in the Kursk region.

"Reports of the alleged encirclement of Ukrainian units by the enemy in the Kursk region are false," the General Staff said in a statement.

READ MORE: Kremlin: Russia will wait for information from US on ceasefire proposal

It noted that the situation in the Kursk region remained largely unchanged over the past day, with 13 combat clashes occurring since the beginning of Friday. The Ukrainian troops have successfully regrouped and withdrawn to more advantageous defensive positions, it added.

The Ukrainian army launched an offensive into Russia's Kursk region in August, seizing about 1,300 square kilometers of land. As the Russian army intensified its counterattack in recent weeks, the situation for the Ukrainian forces in the region is reportedly deteriorating rapidly. 

Trump's envoy meets Putin

Kremlin confirmed that Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, met President Putin on Thursday night.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Putin supports the position of Trump on a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, but has concerns over remaining unresolved issues.

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"So, indeed, there is a lot that needs to be done, but, nevertheless, the president expressed solidarity with Mr. Trump's position," the spokesman said, adding that there were grounds for "cautious optimism" regarding a settlement of the conflict.  

Macron calls on Russia to accept ceasefire proposal

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called on Russia to accept a 30-day ceasefire proposal formulated during the US-Ukraine meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earlier this week.

In a statement on his official X account, Macron said he had spoken separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday.

He also announced that a video conference would be held on Saturday to discuss measures aimed at "strengthening support for Ukraine and achieving a strong and lasting peace".