These are the key developments on day 1,114 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Fighting

• Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that his forces have cornered the remaining Ukrainian soldiers in the western Kursk region, following a daring Ukrainian incursion.
• Putin stated that the situation in Kursk is “completely under our control, and the group that invaded our territory is in isolation”.
• Ukraine’s military denies being surrounded and reports that troops are fortifying their positions.
• Ukraine now holds less than 200 square kilometers in Kursk, down from 1,300 square kilometers at the peak of the incursion, according to the Russian military.

• Ukrainian maps indicate a significant shrinking of their territory in Kursk but no change in the past 24 hours.
• Ukraine’s general staff claims to have repelled five Russian attacks in Kursk, with ongoing clashes in several areas.
• A Russian correspondent reports intense Ukrainian artillery fire on Sudzha town, which Russia recaptured on Wednesday.
• Combat continues as some Ukrainian soldiers try to escape from Kursk to Sumy, according to The Associated Press.
• Videos from Sudzha show the aftermath of seven months of conflict, featuring destroyed vehicles and buildings.

• Ukrainian soldiers express concerns that Russia’s air superiority may cut off their logistics and that any retreat from Kursk requires navigating Russian forces.

Ceasefire

• Putin conditionally agrees with a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for discussion on the terms.
• “The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it,” Putin said, but stressed there are serious issues that need to be addressed.

• Putin stated that the ceasefire must prevent Ukraine from exploiting the pause to regroup, and raised questions about control mechanisms.
• US President Donald Trump sees “good signals” and cautious optimism in Putin’s statement, noting it was not complete.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labels Putin’s response as “manipulative” and claims Putin is preparing to reject the ceasefire proposal.

• The Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, rules out a frozen conflict with ongoing hostilities.
• David Lammy, the UK’s foreign secretary, deems it wrong for Putin to place conditions on a ceasefire and suggests a temporary truce could lead to negotiations for a more comprehensive settlement.
• Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, meets with Putin regarding the ceasefire plan, as reported by top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

• Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warns that Europe and Ukraine would suffer if Russia and the US fail to reach a ceasefire agreement.
• Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski suggests that if Russia rejects this opportunity, it will be clear who desires war and who seeks peace.
• Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expresses commitment to facilitating dialogue and supporting a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis during a call with Putin.

Military

• The US is set to resume the shipment of Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) to Ukraine after technical upgrades to counter Russian jamming.
• Sweden announces a 3 billion Swedish krona ($294 million) military aid package to bolster Ukraine’s artillery capabilities.

• Jack Teixeira, the Air National Guard member who leaked classified documents about the Ukraine war, describes himself as a “proud patriot” at his court-martial hearing, claiming he sought to expose inaccuracies in the Biden administration’s account.

Politics and Diplomacy

• German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasizes Western unity at a G7 foreign ministers meeting, despite tensions with the US over its Russia approach.
• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praises Trump for encouraging defense spending among military alliance members.

Sanctions

• The US confirms that a license allowing energy transactions with Russian institutions expired as scheduled, amidst sanctions imposed before Biden’s term ended.
• The Biden administration had provided the license on January 10 to settle outstanding energy financing deals with Russian banks.