Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a three-day halt to strikes on Kyiv because of a renewed US diplomatic effort to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The temporary pause comes after US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled between Moscow and Kyiv for talks. Their conversation was aimed at reviving peace negotiations.

Putin Orders Three-Day Pause

Russia's presidential spokesperson gave his statement on Putin's new decision to halt the strikes. Peskov also confirmed that Kushner and Witkoff would meet Putin during their visit, but said there was “no talk of new ideas” to end the conflict.

“Putin has ordered that no strikes be carried out against Kyiv for three days, starting at midnight today,” presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s Tass news agency.

Following this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called for a temporary halt to airstrikes during the US delegation’s visit. Zelenskyy had said Ukraine was ready to refrain from attacks on Moscow and called on Russia to reciprocate.

No Broader Ceasefire Agreed

Despite the announcement, Putin also made clear that this should not be interpreted as a wider ceasefire in the war. After meeting Witkoff and Kushner at the Kremlin, Putin said Russia had received Ukraine’s request through official channels. He confirmed that he had ordered a pause in strikes on Kyiv for 72 hours but also stressed that he has not agreed to extend this temporary ceasefire. Putin also said Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, including Moscow, had decreased significantly.

US Envoys Push for Peace Talks

The temporary pause coincided with an intensified diplomatic effort by Washington. Witkoff and Kushner met Putin in Moscow on September 5 before travelling to Kyiv on the 6th to meet Zelenskyy. The meetings form part of the Trump administration’s renewed efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine closer to negotiations. Washington has been pushing for progress towards ending the conflict, which has continued despite previous diplomatic efforts.

During their meeting in Kyiv, Zelenskyy described the discussions with the US delegation as substantive. The talks reportedly covered possible steps towards a peace process, along with Ukraine’s military and energy requirements ahead of the winter.

Fighting Continues Despite Diplomatic Push

The diplomatic developments come as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues. Russian forces have continued launching attacks against Ukrainian targets, while Ukraine has carried out long-range strikes against Russian military and strategic facilities. Ukrainian officials also reported casualties and property damage from Russian attacks in the Kyiv region around the time of the announcement.

What Happens Next?

While the three-day pause provides a temporary window for diplomatic engagement, it does not amount to a comprehensive ceasefire or an end to the war. The US-led discussions could provide an opportunity for further negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, but major differences between the two sides remain unresolved. For now, the limited halt on strikes around Kyiv represents a short-term diplomatic opening rather than a breakthrough towards a permanent peace agreement.

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