March 13 (UPI) -- President Vladimir Putin of Russia made a surprise visit late Wednesday to western Kursk and called for troops to rapidly expel occupying Ukrainian forces as U.S. officials head to Moscow in hopes the Kremlin leader will agree to a 30-day cease-fire deal. Putin, donning military fatigues, spoke with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the Kremlin's top military officer, at a command post in Kursk where Kremlin forces have been battling a Ukrainian incursion since August. Advertisement In a