Russia announces three-day pause in strikes during Ukraine peace talks

Russia says it will stop strikes against Kyiv for three days, beginning at midnight, as U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrive in Moscow to revive efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had ordered the pause. The announcement coincided with negotiations led by the two American envoys. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had already committed to pausing airstrikes for the talks.

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As with previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely. We are concerned about their safety, not about Russia.

“As with previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely. We are concerned about their safety, not about Russia,” Zelenskyy said.

Kushner and Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Saturday and were met by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he was sending the pair to Moscow and Kyiv with a proposal to end the conflict. “They’re bringing with them a proposal to end the war,” Trump told reporters. He did not disclose details, including whether the plan would involve Ukraine ceding territory to Russia, an idea he has previously raised. “We have an idea for peace,” Trump said.

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They’re bringing with them a proposal to end the war.

Zelenskyy said the envoys would travel to Ukraine on Sunday after their Moscow meetings. Reports had questioned whether that visit would take place, noting that the pair had not visited Kyiv since Trump’s reelection last year.

The diplomatic effort is unfolding alongside continued attacks. A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s domestic security service in Kyiv on Friday. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it “a major escalation” and said Moscow launched the strike during a renewed peace push, which he said exposed its rejection of diplomacy. Zelenskyy ordered “an appropriate, tangible response and, where possible, one that mirrors this strike.” Ukraine has also carried out repeated drone strikes against Russian oil infrastructure and the retailer Wildberries.

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We have an idea for peace.