Ukraine says it is ready to observe a ceasefire during negotiations

Ukraine says it is prepared to pause strikes on Moscow as diplomatic efforts involving Kyiv, Moscow and Washington continue. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the offer after speaking by telephone with US President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

“From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. He said Kyiv expected Moscow to take reciprocal measures concerning Ukraine.

Witkoff and Kushner were due to travel to the Ukrainian capital on Sunday after holding talks in Moscow, CNN reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered a three-day pause in strikes against Kyiv as preparations were made for contacts with the US negotiators, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov described Putin’s meeting with the US envoys as substantive, constructive and extremely frank, held in a trusting atmosphere. According to Russia’s Tass news agency, the discussions lasted three hours and 10 minutes, including both working talks and an informal dinner.

Ushakov said Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s willingness to work with the United States on political and diplomatic solutions to issues involving Ukraine. He said the Russian side presented its assessment of developments during the military operation, highlighted advances by Russian forces in the combat zone and expressed confidence that its stated objectives could be achieved. He also stressed the need to address what Moscow calls the root causes of the conflict.

The talks also covered economic issues and possible large-scale projects involving Russia and the United States. Ushakov called the meeting timely and beneficial, saying the two presidents would maintain personal contact and that Witkoff and Kushner would continue engaging with both sides. He added that the envoys would take to Kyiv the observations and assessments they had received from Putin on prospects for a lasting peace settlement.

“

From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow.