Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin on Saturday to discuss restarting efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Both sides had increased aerial assaults, prompting Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to agree on a ceasefire for their respective capitals during the negotiations.
The initiative to end the hostilities has lost momentum due to the U.S.’s focus on the Iran conflict for the past six months. Witkoff and Kushner, who last visited Moscow in January to meet with Putin, will also travel to Kyiv as part of the peace process for the first time.
During the Moscow meeting, Putin conveyed warm regards and appreciation to former President Trump through Kushner and Witkoff, acknowledging the complexities of the situation in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.
Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Putin had ordered a three-day halt on strikes against Kyiv, starting at midnight. Zelenskyy reciprocated by agreeing to suspend attacks on Moscow until Monday, emphasizing the need for mutual restraint between the two nations.
The U.S. delegation was greeted in Moscow by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who welcomed them as “Peacemakers.” As peace talks remain stalled, Russia has intensified its bombardment of Kyiv and other cities, exploiting Ukraine’s air defense vulnerabilities.
Recent Russian drone strikes targeted key government buildings in Kyiv, while Ukrainian counterattacks aimed at disrupting Russian military operations and economic infrastructure. The conflict has escalated with both sides struggling to make significant advancements.
Zelenskyy highlighted the impact of Russian strikes on civilian areas, including airports, linking them to the impending U.S. visit. Meanwhile, Russia defended its actions, citing military production targets as justification for strikes on Ukrainian facilities.
The ongoing clashes have resulted in casualties and damage on both sides, underscoring the urgency for diplomatic solutions. The situation remains volatile, with fears of further escalation as tensions persist between Russia and Ukraine.