Kremlin forces have retaken the largest town in the Kursk region and expect roll back all Ukrainian gains in the area, the Russian defense ministry said.

Russia says it will discuss the U.S. ceasefire proposal, but Vladimir Putin has signaled he seeks to expel the remnants of Ukrainian forces from Kursk.

The American visit comes as President Vladimir Putin visited Russia's Kursk region - parts of which have been under Ukraine's control since an incursion last year. Russian TV aired footage of Putin meeting military commanders, who told him Russian troops had recaptured 86% of the area from Ukraine.