“It’s systematic destruction is underway,” Gerasimov said.

Putin said Russia should treat Ukrainian soldiers captured as prisoners of war in Kursk region as terrorists.

“People who are in the Kursk region, who commit crimes against civilians here, who oppose our armed forces, law enforcement agencies and special services, … are the people we should certainly treat as terrorists,” Putin said, adding that Russia does not intend to extend the Geneva Conventions to foreigners fighting on Ukraine’s side.

US envoy heading to Moscow

On Thursday, the White House said Waltz had spoken with his Russian counterpart.

Trump said “devastating” sanctions were possible if Russia refused a deal but added: “I hope that’s not going to be necessary.”

‘None of us trust the Russians’

“I have emphasised this many times, none of us trust the Russians,” he said.

Russia has also reclaimed territory in its western Kursk region, pushing back Ukrainian troops who staged a shock offensive last August.