Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin with the aim of reinvigorating efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Both sides agreed to halt strikes on each other’s capitals during the talks, as tensions escalated through aerial assaults.
The U.S. initiative to end the conflict has waned due to the country’s focus on the Iran situation over the past six months. The last confirmed meeting between Witkoff, Kushner, and Putin occurred in January, marking their return to Moscow after engaging in discussions with the Russian President at the Kremlin.
In a bid to advance the peace process, both U.S. envoys are scheduled to visit Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, for the first time. At the onset of the Moscow meeting, Putin conveyed his warm regards and appreciation to former President Donald Trump through Kushner and Witkoff, acknowledging the complexity of the situation in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
According to Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Russian presidency, Putin ordered a three-day suspension of strikes on Kyiv starting at midnight. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reciprocated by agreeing to refrain from attacks on Moscow until Monday. Zelenskyy communicated with the U.S. delegation upon their arrival in Moscow.
The American envoys were greeted at the airport by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who shared photos of their meeting with the caption “Welcome to Moscow Peacemakers.” Meanwhile, peace efforts remain at a standstill while Russia intensifies its assaults on Kyiv and other cities, taking advantage of Ukraine’s limited air defense capabilities.
Recent attacks include a Russian drone strike on the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service in Kyiv and Ukrainian strikes on Russian military installations and economic centers. The conflict has escalated into an air war, characterized by fast-flying drones and persistent air-raid sirens in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy linked Russian strikes on Kyiv’s airports to the impending U.S. visit, indicating a reaction to the diplomatic discussions. The conflict has resulted in casualties, including five deaths at an industrial site in Ukraine. Further incidents in the Nikopol district and Kyiv region have left several injured and property damaged.
Russian forces launched ballistic missiles and deployed drones overnight, while Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted a significant number of drones. In response, Ukraine conducted attacks in Russia’s border region, resulting in injuries. The situation remains volatile as both sides engage in hostilities amid diplomatic efforts to achieve peace.
