Putin orders 3-day pause in strikes on Kyiv as US delegation arrives in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted a three-day ceasefire on strikes against Kyiv as US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrive in Moscow for peace talks, according to the Kremlin. The halt in strikes on Kyiv came into effect at midnight, as reported by the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The US delegation landed in Moscow on Saturday, where they were met by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev before embarking on their journey to Kyiv on Sunday.

The US push to end the conflict has faced challenges, and Russia and Ukraine remain divided over the terms of a potential settlement. The Kremlin maintains its stance from a speech two years ago, demanding Ukraine cede four Russian-claimed regions and renounce NATO membership. The front line between the two nations has remained largely unchanged, with gradual Russian advances in the contested Donbas region.

Meanwhile, both sides have stepped up attacks within each other's territories. Ukraine has targeted Russian facilities with drones, while Russia continues to launch missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. US President Donald Trump had mentioned a new proposal aimed at ending the war, but details were not disclosed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Witkoff and Kushner would visit Ukraine on Sunday following their talks in Moscow.