Putin orders 72-hour pause in Kyiv strikes as US envoys visit
U.S. envoys are trying to revive a stalled push to end Russia's invasion.
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are visiting Moscow to revive efforts to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a 72-hour pause in strikes on Kyiv, starting at midnight. The decision comes as both sides escalate aerial attacks, with Ukraine halting airstrikes during the envoy's visit.
Putin's spokesperson confirmed that the envoys would meet with Putin during their visit, but there were no discussions of new ideas to end the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Russia to halt its attacks during the envoy's visit. Russian attacks on Kyiv and other cities have intensified, with recent air raids hitting government buildings and civilian areas.
The long-term conflict, now in its fifth year, has seen both sides escalate their attacks as troops struggle to make progress along the 1,250-kilometer front line.
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