Putin Halts Attacks on Kyiv Ahead of Envoys' Visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a three-day suspension of attacks on Kyiv, effective at midnight. According to Sky News, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to the TASS news agency that the decision is related to preparations for meetings with US envoys in the Ukrainian capital.

Peskov also said that Putin will meet with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on Saturday.

This move followed an appeal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who declared that Ukraine would not carry out any attacks during the visit by officials from Washington and called on Russia to do the same.

Moscow initially ignored the appeal and struck airports in Kyiv and nearby Boryspil overnight. Zelensky described these strikes as a reaction to discussions about the possibility that US peace negotiators might use an airplane during their trip to Ukraine on Sunday. Ukrainian airspace has remained closed since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

(max)