India, March 14 -- US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he held a "very good and productive discussion" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and urged him to spare Ukrainian soldiers' lives.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, "We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end - BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God b...