US asks Ukraine to pause strikes on Russian energy during Trump envoys' visit

The United States has asked Ukraine to temporarily halt drone and missile attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and Moscow during a weekend visit by Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to The New York Times. Russia is expected to mirror this by pausing strikes on Kyiv. The envoys will meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, September 5, before traveling to Kyiv for talks with Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine's president said Kyiv will ensure a safe air corridor for the Americans, pledging no Ukrainian strikes during the visit, while demanding Russia reciprocate. The trip comes as Ukraine's attacks have caused fuel shortages in Russia, but Kyiv now lacks interceptors to defend against Russian missiles. The envoys have visited Moscow multiple times but never Kyiv, and the visit's purpose remains unclear regarding new proposals or resolving disputes over Donbas control.