Ukraine Tolerates Witkoff’s Flattery of Putin for a Pause in Strikes

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's flattering diplomacy with Vladimir Putin has not advanced peace talks, but Ukraine sees value in the visits as they produced a temporary pause in strikes on Kyiv and Moscow. During Saturday's three-hour Kremlin meeting, Putin ordered Russian forces not to strike Kyiv for three days, and Ukraine agreed not to hit Moscow. Ukrainian President Zelensky thanked the envoys, noting the arrangement gave residents "a bit" of relief from near-nightly drone attacks. Russia's terms remain unchanged, with Putin insisting on Ukrainian territorial concessions and neutrality. However, Kyiv hopes repeated visits can establish precedents for temporary ceasefires, offering a foundation for future negotiations despite the lack of progress toward a settlement.