U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and former White House adviser Jared Kushner touched down in Moscow on Saturday, beginning a diplomatic push ordered by President Donald Trump to revive stalled peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The pair are scheduled to meet President Vladimir Putin before traveling to Kyiv on Sunday, a move that coincides with Russia’s announcement of a limited 72‑hour pause on attacks targeting Kyiv.
Envoys land in Moscow
According to the BBC and The Guardian, Witkoff and Kushner were flown directly to the Russian capital to hold talks with Putin, who is expected to discuss a “new plan to end the war” as outlined by the White House. The Washington Post reported that the envoys will also seek meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after their Moscow visit, aiming to create a diplomatic corridor for a cease‑fire and possible negotiations.
Limited ceasefire announced
In a parallel development, Russian officials declared a three‑day, limited cease‑fire that would suspend strikes on Kyiv for 72 hours. Al Jazeera noted that the pause comes as Russian and Ukrainian air raids continue elsewhere, and reported that at least five civilians were killed in recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory. The cease‑fire was framed by the Kremlin as a humanitarian gesture to facilitate talks, a claim echoed by DW.com and Reuters.
"We have decided to halt all strikes on Kyiv for the next 72 hours," the Associated Press quoted President Putin as saying.
The New York Times highlighted that the cease‑fire is “limited” and does not extend to the broader front lines, where both sides have intensified air operations since the last U.S.-brokered negotiations stalled in February. The escalation has resulted in a deadly campaign of strikes, with civilian casualties mounting on both sides.
President Trump announced on Friday that the envoys would carry a “new plan to end the war,” emphasizing that the United States remains committed to a diplomatic resolution. France 24 reported that Trump described the mission as an effort to bring “all parties back to the table,” while Financial Times noted that the proposal is expected to include security guarantees for Kyiv and a roadmap for Russian withdrawal from occupied territories.
Next steps and international response
Ukrainian officials have welcomed the cease‑fire but remain cautious about any proposals that might legitimize Russian territorial gains. BBC cited Kyiv’s foreign ministry as saying the pause will be closely monitored and that any diplomatic initiative must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Western allies, including the European Union and NATO, have urged both Moscow and Kyiv to use the window to advance substantive negotiations. The Wall Street Journal reported that EU diplomats are preparing to support the talks with economic incentives, while the United Nations has called for an immediate humanitarian corridor.
Analysts note that the envoys’ visit marks the first high‑level U.S. engagement on the conflict since the February talks collapsed. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty observed that the success of this diplomatic effort hinges on whether the 72‑hour pause can be extended and whether both sides are willing to compromise on core issues such as security guarantees and the status of the Donbas region.
As the envoys prepare to depart Moscow for Kyiv, the international community will be watching closely to see if the limited cease‑fire can evolve into a broader truce and pave the way for a sustainable peace settlement.
