Moscow, Russia – US Envoy Steve Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to halt attacks on Kyiv coinciding with the US delegation’s visit to Moscow, a move aligning with diplomatic efforts aimed at pushing forward peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Putin Halts Attacks on Kyiv
Putin ordered a three-day pause on strikes against Kyiv starting midnight Saturday, coinciding with the visit of Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Russia and their anticipated subsequent travel to the Ukrainian capital. The decision comes at a time when the war is witnessing an escalation in mutual air attacks, while Washington seeks to leverage renewed diplomatic movements to open a path toward a political settlement.
US Praise for Russian Step
During the meeting with Putin in Moscow, Witkoff conveyed US President Donald Trump’s greetings to his Russian counterpart and expressed gratitude to Putin for implementing the temporary ceasefire during the US delegation’s visit. This reflects an American effort to establish the temporary lull as a facilitating factor for direct communications with the Russian leadership.
Efforts to Revive Peace Negotiations
Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Moscow for talks with Putin on ending the war, after which they are scheduled to head to Kyiv as part of US efforts to push both sides toward a peace agreement. The visit carries special significance as Washington introduces a fresh and concrete proposal to end the conflict, even as ongoing disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv over territorial control and Ukraine’s future with NATO continue to impede a final settlement.
