Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin on Saturday to explore ways to reinvigorate efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Both sides agreed to halt aerial attacks on each other’s capitals during the talks.
The U.S. focus on resolving the conflict had waned due to the Iran war in recent months. Witkoff and Kushner last visited Moscow in January for talks with Putin. The envoys are set to visit Kyiv on Sunday for the first time in the peace process.
During the meeting in Moscow, Putin conveyed warm wishes and appreciation to President Donald Trump through Kushner and Witkoff. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation in Ukraine, which saw a full-scale invasion by Russian forces on February 24, 2022.
A three-day pause in strikes on Kyiv was ordered by Putin, starting from midnight, as confirmed by Dmitry Peskov, the presidential spokesperson. Zelenskyy reciprocated by stating that Ukraine was ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow until Monday, following a discussion with the U.S. delegation in Moscow.
With peace talks stalled, Russia intensified aerial bombardments on Kyiv and other cities, taking advantage of Ukraine’s air defense vulnerabilities. Notably, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service in Kyiv. Ukraine retaliated with strikes on Russian military installations and economic targets.
The conflict has escalated as both sides struggle to gain ground along the front line. The use of fast-flying drones by Russia has become a common occurrence, with air-raid sirens sounding daily in Kyiv. Zelenskyy linked recent Russian strikes on Kyiv airports to the U.S. visit preparations.
Russian attacks resulted in casualties and damage in various Ukrainian regions, including the southern Dnipropetrovsk region. The Ministry of Defence reported strikes on metallurgical plants supplying materials for Ukraine’s military production. The conflict also spilled over into Russia’s Belgorod region, where Ukrainian attacks caused injuries.
The situation remains volatile as both sides engage in relentless military actions, posing challenges to diplomatic efforts towards peace in the region.