Putin Orders 3-Day Pause in Kyiv Strikes as US Envoys Witkoff, Kushner Visit Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a three-day suspension of strikes on Kyiv from Saturday, coinciding with the arrival of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow for talks on efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin was expected to meet the two American representatives on Saturday. Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Moscow as Washington sought to reopen diplomatic channels between Russia and Ukraine.

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev met the delegation at the airport before accompanying them into the city. Dmitriev has previously participated in discussions involving Putin and US officials and remains in contact with American negotiators.

The visit follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a fresh proposal aimed at ending the conflict, which has entered its fifth year. Trump said Witkoff and Kushner were travelling to assess whether the latest initiative could lead to meaningful progress.

“We have an idea for peace,” Trump said, expressing hope that the talks could produce a breakthrough.

ZELENSKYY WANTS RECIPROCAL TRUCE

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had urged Moscow to halt air strikes during the US delegation’s diplomatic mission. He said the American representatives were expected to visit Ukraine after their meetings in Moscow.

Zelenskyy said Kyiv was prepared to ensure safe conditions for the US officials, as it had done during previous American diplomatic visits. He called on Russia to reciprocate by suspending attacks for the duration of the talks and the logistical arrangements surrounding the visit.

Putin’s three-day pause could provide a temporary window for diplomatic discussions, although it remains unclear whether the move will lead to a broader reduction in hostilities.

ATTACKS CONTINUE DESPITE DIPLOMATIC PUSH

The latest diplomatic initiative comes as Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange heavy drone and missile strikes.

A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in Kyiv on Friday, marking one of the most prominent attacks on the capital in recent months. Zelenskyy subsequently warned that Ukraine would retaliate.

Russian strikes in the Dnipropetrovsk region killed four people overnight, while additional casualties were reported in the Kyiv and Mykolaiv regions.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 167 attack drones, including Shahed- and Geran-type drones, along with decoys and ballistic missiles. Ukrainian air defences said they intercepted or suppressed 128 of the drones.

Russia, meanwhile, claimed its forces destroyed 53 Ukrainian drones. Russian authorities also reported injuries following attacks in the Belgorod region.

CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR PEACE TALKS

The latest US-led diplomatic effort comes after previous negotiations failed to produce a lasting agreement. Russia continues to demand control over four Ukrainian regions it claims as its own and wants Kyiv to abandon its bid to join NATO. The Kremlin has described its position on these issues as firm.

Both countries have also expanded long-range attacks targeting infrastructure and military facilities deep inside each other’s territory.

Against this backdrop, Witkoff and Kushner’s meetings with Putin could determine whether Washington’s latest proposal can restart meaningful negotiations. Their expected discussions with Ukrainian officials could then provide an indication of whether Moscow and Kyiv are willing to bridge their differences.

The three-day pause in strikes offers a brief diplomatic opening, but whether it develops into a wider ceasefire or substantive peace process remains uncertain.