Putin Orders 72 Hour Halt To Kyiv Strikes As Trump Envoys Arrive In Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a 72 hour halt to strikes on Kyiv as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday for talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

The pause comes as the US team begins a fresh effort to bring Russia and Ukraine back to peace talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin would meet Witkoff and Kushner.

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev received the two US officials after they arrived in Moscow. A motorcade carrying Witkoff, Kushner and Dmitriev later left the government airport for the city. Dmitriev has taken part in earlier talks between Putin and US officials.

The visit follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday that Washington has a new peace plan for the war. Trump did not give details of the plan. He said he had sent Witkoff and Kushner to see if a deal could be reached.

“We have an idea for peace,” Trump said. He also said there was a good chance that something could come out of the talks.

After meeting Putin in Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are expected to travel to Kyiv on Sunday, September 6, for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy had earlier asked Russia to stop air attacks during the US delegation’s visit. He said Ukraine would also avoid airstrikes during the talks and would help ensure the safe travel of the American officials.

Ukraine has also called for a wider ceasefire covering air attacks and fighting on the ground. Russia had not responded to that wider proposal in the latest reports.

The latest diplomatic effort comes after several days of heavy fighting. A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in Kyiv on Friday. The attack caused injuries and damage. Zelenskyy promised a strong response.

Russia also carried out strikes near Kyiv and Boryspil airports ahead of the planned US visit. Zelenskyy accused Russia of targeting the airports at a sensitive time as preparations were being made for the American delegation.

The attacks have continued in other parts of Ukraine. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 167 drones overnight, including Shahed and Geran type drones, along with decoy drones and ballistic missiles. Ukrainian forces said they shot down or suppressed 128 drones.

Russia, meanwhile, said its forces destroyed 53 Ukrainian drones. Russian officials also reported injuries in the Belgorod border region.

Russian attacks in Ukraine also killed four people overnight in the Dnipropetrovsk region, while attacks were reported in the Kyiv and Mykolaiv regions.

Despite the 72 hour pause in strikes on Kyiv, there is no wider ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides continue to carry out attacks in other areas.

The main issues between Moscow and Kyiv also remain unresolved. Russia wants Ukraine to give up territory in four regions claimed by Moscow and drop its plans to join NATO. Ukraine has rejected those demands.

The Moscow talks could now decide whether Trump’s latest peace effort can restart serious negotiations. The next step will be the US envoys’ planned visit to Kyiv and their talks with Zelenskyy.