Russian President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin on Saturday to discuss a US proposal to end the war in Ukraine, ahead of the envoys’ expected visit to Kyiv on Sunday.
Russia said it would not strike Kyiv for three days from midnight Saturday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would refrain from strikes on Moscow through Monday. The temporary restraint covers the period of the US delegation’s talks in Moscow and Kyiv.
What the envoys brought to Moscow
US President Donald Trump had said Witkoff, his special envoy, and Kushner were bringing a proposal to end the war. Putin welcomed the two men at the Kremlin and asked them to convey his best wishes and gratitude to Trump. For additional context, see “Ukraine seeks halt to Russian air attacks during peace talks”.
Witkoff said Trump had sent his best wishes to Putin and thanked him for the limited ceasefire during the delegation’s visit. Putin said Russia would do its utmost to ensure the mediators’ safety.
The pause comes amid continued attacks
The negotiations are taking place as the war, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022, has seen increasing civilian deaths and attacks this summer. Russian strikes on Ukraine on Saturday killed at least seven people, including in the Kyiv suburbs, according to Ukrainian officials. A related part of this story is covered in “Kamianske strike kills five during disputed Ukraine ceasefire”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin had ordered Russian forces not to strike Kyiv for three days. Zelenskyy said he had spoken with the US envoys and offered a matching pause on strikes against Moscow. He expects Witkoff and Kushner in Kyiv on Sunday, their first visit there since Trump returned to office last year.
What happens next
Witkoff and Kushner are expected to travel to Kyiv on Sunday for the next stage of the US-led talks. The development of this issue can be followed in “Child among three killed in strikes around Ukraine’s capital”.
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