Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered a three-day halt to strikes on Kyiv, a move coinciding with the arrival of US peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the region. The pause in hostilities, confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov to Interfax, began at midnight tonight, clearing a path for diplomatic efforts to unfold. Witkoff and Kushner landed in Moscow on Saturday, the initial stop in a weekend itinerary that will also take them to the Ukrainian capital.
The American delegation carries a “proposal to end the war,” as announced by former US President Donald Trump. He expressed optimism about their mission, telling reporters on Friday that the duo, whom he described as “two great negotiators,” might achieve something significant. Following their meetings with Russian officials, Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled to proceed to Kyiv on Sunday. This marks their first visit to the city since Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the impending visit in a post on X, emphasizing the necessity of exploring “real options for how to move this war toward an end.” He indicated that Ukraine would assess the proposals brought by Witkoff and Kushner, as well as the responses they receive in Moscow. Zelenskyy also outlined a critical measure taken by Ukrainian forces to facilitate the envoys’ travel, assuring the “normal functioning of Russian airspace” for their safe passage.
This assurance from Kyiv came after Zelenskyy had, just days prior, warned airlines and insurers about the increasing dangers of flying through Russian airspace due to escalating Ukrainian drone operations. However, for the duration of the American delegation’s trip, Ukraine committed to refraining from air strikes. Zelenskyy called upon Moscow to reciprocate this gesture, stating, “There will be no air strikes from our side, and Russia must do the same, ensuring there are no air strikes from its side for the time needed to hold these talks and handle the logistical matters related to this American visit.”
The backdrop to these diplomatic overtures remains fraught with ongoing conflict. Just last night, Russian strikes on Kamianske in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region resulted in four fatalities and five injuries, hitting an industrial facility. Earlier, on Friday, a Russian drone reportedly struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in central Kyiv, an incident Zelenskyy described as a direct targeting of the agency’s head office. He had vowed a “tangible response” to that attack.
Adding to the tension, Zelenskyy claimed on Saturday that Russian forces had also targeted airports in Kyiv and Boryspil overnight, characterizing these as “deliberate” acts and a “reaction” to the planned envoy meetings. He indicated that Ukraine had “taken note of this Russian move” and would “adjust our operation accordingly regarding Russian airspace” in the coming week. Despite these recent hostilities, the temporary pause in strikes on Kyiv offers a narrow window for the American envoys to present their peace initiative.
