Wed May 21 08:15:04 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Putin Visits Kursk Region, Claims Readiness for Ukraine Peace Talks After Trump Call**
**Moscow – May 21, 2025 (The Hindu)** – Russian President Vladimir Putin made a publicized visit to the Kursk region on Tuesday, marking his first appearance in the area since Russian forces pushed back Ukrainian troops last month. The Kremlin stated that Mr. Putin met with volunteer organizations and inspected the Kursk-II nuclear power plant during his visit.
State television showed Mr. Putin meeting with acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein and other local officials, accompanied by Kremlin first Deputy Chief of Staff Sergei Kiriyenko.
The visit follows Russia’s claim in late April that it had successfully repelled Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region. This incursion, which began on August 6, 2025, with a significant Ukrainian offensive supported by drones and Western weaponry, was the largest penetration of Russian territory since World War II. At its peak, Ukrainian forces reportedly controlled nearly 1,400 square kilometers within the region.
Following a call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, Mr. Putin also declared Russia’s readiness to work towards ending the fighting in Ukraine. Mr. Trump has announced Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will begin immediately following call with Putin.
The situation in Kursk remains a focal point of the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for over two years since Russia’s initial invasion in 2022.
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