Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a three-day suspension of strikes on Kyiv, effective Saturday. This pause coincides with the arrival of U.S. special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are in Ukraine to engage in discussions aimed at revitalizing diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict.
This development marks a significant moment as both sides prepare for potential negotiations that could alter the course of the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin was scheduled to meet the two US envoys on Saturday, according to Russian news agencies, as Washington seeks to open a fresh diplomatic channel. Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday for discussions on the conflict, two people familiar with the visit told Reuters.
The visit follows US President Donald Trump’s statement on Friday that Washington had a fresh and concrete proposal aimed at bringing the war, now in its fifth year, to an end. Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev received the delegation. Later, a motorcade carrying Witkoff, Kushner and Dmitriev left the government airport and headed into the city. “I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They’ve done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done.
Trump did not disclose details of the proposal but said Witkoff and Kushner had been sent abroad to assess whether progress could be made. “We have an idea for peace,” Trump said. And there may be a good chance that we’ll do it,” he said.
Kyiv had also proposed a temporary halt to air attacks during their visit, calling on Russia to reciprocate to ensure the talks could be held safely.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US envoys were expected to travel to Ukraine following their meetings in Moscow. “Just as we did during previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely,” Zelenskyy had said in a social media post.
